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team of Carraghers
From Sky Sports
Rafa Benitez is hoping to unearth home-grown diamonds in the coming years in the mould of Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
England international Carragher and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard are the only two regular members of the Liverpool team to have come up through the ranks.
Benitez accepts it is difficult for top clubs to field a team largely comprising players who have come through the academy.
But the Spaniard is keen to find one player per season who could rival the impact Carragher has had on the Liverpool side.
"It is normal at top clubs for it to be more difficult for youngsters to get through because of the players that are bought for the senior squad," said Benitez.
"It was the same when I was at Real Madrid, it is the same with the big clubs in England.
"I have known senior squads at Madrid with 40 players, and of that maybe 14 were from the academy. That is success, that is what means an academy is successful.
"But one each year would be fine. Maybe one Jamie Carragher each year, maybe one Steven Gerrard.
"It could take five years, but you have a diamond to work with. You can then do something if you have the talent, you can see it grow.
"But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save with a team of Carraghers."
He must of been listening to the song!
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