Burke might have netted the club a rather substantial transfer fee, but Steve Chettle would rather see the club turn down the money in favour of progress.
The rapid development of Oliver Burke from academy hopeful to Bundesliga starlet proves that Nottingham Forest’ youth development system is key to the club’s future, legendary defender Steve Chettle told the Nottingham Post.
19-year-old Burke earned Forest £13 million when he departed for nouveau-riche German outfit RB Leipzig this summer, as reported by the BBC, making him the most expensive Scottish footballer in history on the back of just ten starts in the second tier.
Consequently, Forest coach Philippe Montanier (below), whose position has been subject to intense scrutiny following a disastrous series of results and an impending takeover by US tycoon John Jay Moores, retains a positive standing amongst the majority of Forest’s fans due to his commitment to giving youth a chance at the City Ground.
And Chettle, who made over 400 league appearances for Forest between 1986 and 1999, has marvelled at the rapid rate of Burke’s progression and says that the club’s ability to fulfil the wingers’ vast potential points to a positive future for a club that has endured its fair share of negativity in recent years.
“He got quicker, stronger and fitter,” Chettle, who coached Burke at Under-16 level, told the Nottingham Post. “He just had to add the bits and pieces, but he did that, because he was creating goals, scoring goals and has carried that on at Leipzig.
“He is also a regular international now, with Scotland. It is scary how quickly it has all happened for him, because he is still only 19.”
Burke is one of a talented crop of youngsters to fly the Forest net right at the beginning of their fledging careers, with current Newcastle United duo Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles, as well as Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, choosing to continue their development elsewhere with differing results.
However, Chettle believes keeping the next generation of stars beyond their formative years will be crucial to the club’s chances of making headway in the coming years.
“How often they will get games remains to be seen, but there are players coming through who can make an impact. We have seen Matty Cash get his chance, prior to his injury and Ben Osborn (below) is a regular in the side now.
“It is good to see the production line still going at Forest. It is hard work, but it does pay off.”
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