REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MILAN -- The new Nerazzurri owner has highlighted the importance of a successful youth set-up as he aims to return the club to the summit of Italian football.
Inter president Erick Thohir feels the Nerazzurri youth academy is one of the best in Europe, but has vowed to turn it into one of the finest in the world.
The Giuseppe Meazza side won the inaugural edition of the prestigious NextGen Series in 2011-12, yet very few players of that successful squad - such as Samuele Longo and Lorenzo Crisetig - have forged their way into Walter Mazzarri's first-team plans.
However, Thohir is adamant that Inter's youth set-up is up there with the very best in Italy and Europe and feels it will be key to restoring the club to the summit of Serie A.
"Inter have one of the best academies in Italy, even in Europe. I want it to be one of the best in the world," Thohir told Sky Italia.
"I don't agree that you can't win anything with young players. At the end of the day 11 players go out on the pitch.
"We can have superstars but we can't have all superstars. With a combination of superstars and young players you can always have a good team.
"I think all successful teams start with talented young players, it's always a combination."
The Nerazzurri sit fourth in the league table, with 25 points from 12 games, ahead of the weekend trip to Bologna.
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