Are they well polished in Basel?: These are the FCB diamonds from Degen

What do ranking goalkeeper Justin Hammel (23), Lugano defender Albian Hajdari (20), Nati player Uran Bislimi (24), FCSG gem Albin Krasniqi (20) and Sion’s Liam Chipperfield (19) have in common? Over the past five years, they have all made the leap from FCB youth to professional sports. And they are five of the thirty players in total who have brought Bebbi to the Super or Challenge League since 2018.

However, almost no one made it to Basel’s first team in the long term in the same period. Naturally, FCB youth boss Daniel Stucki (42) sees room for improvement in this area: “Of course the quality standards at FCB are very high. We have only worked successfully when our own young players appear in the Joggeli. It doesn’t do the club any good if our juniors turn professional in St. Gallen or Lucerne. The channel to the top, to the first team, must be open.”

That has not been the case in recent years. Because FCB under boss David Degen (40) preferred young players from abroad. Top talents from the top 5 competitions. Players like Rennes gem Andy Diouf (20). FCB sold him to Lens in the summer for around 18 million.

A look at five of the most promising talents shows that Degen is also sitting on diamonds in his own company.

No matter who you talk to at FCB, everyone is enraptured. Considered an exceptional talent. A magician with the ball at his feet. Has train. Good in 1 on 1. Can be a difference player. Completes a commercial internship and is about to do a one-year internship at a private school. Because he has already played eight professional matches for the first team, a regular school is not possible due to the effort it entails. Currently dealing with a broken toe.

Completed high school. Already very advanced for his age. Former coach Timo Schultz took the central midfielder under his wing, and Celestini also trusts the 19-year-old in a central position. Avdullahu has made ten professional appearances. Claim the balls even when he has opponents behind him. Very stable.

Born in July 2007, still a diamond in the rough. But extremely far ahead for his age. Former FCB coach Heiko Vogel threw the then 15-year-old into the deep end against St.Gallen. In the end the score was 1:6. Akaomen still needs time, but a future as a professional is open to those who are so young. Especially because as a left-footer he has an advantage that should not be underestimated. Akaomen is currently completing business school.

Plays in the Promotion League in the central six position. Strong game, good eye, leadership qualities. Recently wore the armband against Breitenrain. In the summer he will complete his commercial internship and then he wants to focus everything on football.

He joined FCB from FC Sion at the age of 16 and scored eight goals in 32 games for the Basel U21s. Met him during his professional debut in the Cornaredo, celebrated in front of the fans as if he had always worn red and blue. His father is former Sion and Wil goalkeeper Nicolas Beney (43), sister Iman is also considered a great talent. Roméo lives in the FCB apartment complex. Starts an internship at Novartis, but now focuses everything on football.

And he and his colleagues sacrifice quite a bit for this. “From U15 level onwards, training takes place six times a week. Plus competition. All our juniors are also training. The many training courses and the high standards support them not only in football, but also in their general development.”

The youth campus as a school of life. Because 95 percent of all talents ultimately do not become professionals. And you also need to be prepared for a life in the private sector.