Derby County are excited by the quality of opposition they will face during their debut campaign in the Premier League International Cup.
The Rams are one of 12 Category One academy sides to compete alongside 12 teams from Europe in the expanded competition, for which the fixtures were released yesterday. Derby will face PSV Eindhoven, the runners-up last season, Benfica and Sunderland and John Barton, Derby’s academy operations manager, says it will benefit his players.
“The players are looking forward to the experience that, unless you get into the first team of your respective clubs, you don’t get the opportunity to be part of," Barton told premierleague.com.
“The profile of the clubs involved in it has the quality there as an attraction. You look at the names and it’s a prestigious competition.
“As well as providing games, it gives a different experience. From Under-9 to Under-23s, the clubs have been committed to tours against foreign opposition that give that wider experience.
“We did that internally last year, arranging matches against Valencia and Sporting Lisbon, and this gives us a platform to add a competitive element as well.”
"If it doesn’t recreate the range of competitions and pressures you get in the first-team environment, it gets a lot closer to it."
Derby won promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 for this season and will also compete against senior sides in the EFL Trophy, as well as the Premier League Cup.
"Going up to Premier League 2, we were delighted to win the division last year and it provides another test this year with different personnel," Barton said. "It’s a challenge for them.
"If it doesn’t recreate the range of competitions and pressures you get in the first-team environment, it gets a lot closer to it."
Twelve clubs make their debut this season in the International Cup, which was won by Villarreal last term and Manchester City in the inaugural 2014/15 campaign.
Wolfsburg are one new club and Pablo Thiam, their Under-23 coach, is looking forward to the test it will give his squad.
“If you want to go up in the league, or play European football, you need this kind of experience and we’re happy to have this chance," he said. “English teams are well educated, very talented, they have lots of skills, very strong.
"They’re very willing to make the next step, so they want to show themselves, especially as they’re playing at home.
“It’s a different style of play, some more physical, some more technical. You can see how your style works and to have the chance to play this tournament can be very positive for their careers.”
Wolfsburg face Leicester City, Liverpool and Porto in Group C. To see the full Premier League International Cup fixture list, click here.
