Searching for the Chinese Cruyff

Kids are put through their paces at the school, which is co-run by Dutch giant Ajax. [Photo provided to chinadaily]

Back to basics

"It's a long-term commitment we made with R&F of five years, but maybe we will need a couple more years because we have to start with the basics," said Ed Engelkes, technical director of R&F Academy.

"When the fundamentals are not good, you have to start all over."

The deal between Guangzhou R&F and Ajax was announced last November, but Engelkes and the three other coaches from the Amsterdam club are still getting their feet under the table.

The academy is in Meizhou, a city 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Guangzhou in the southern province of Guangdong and known for producing a number of Chinese players.

The academy has about 330 boys aged eight to 17, who live on the site, training and having school lessons.

The best boys come on a scholarship while the others pay. Many are local, but those from farther afield may see their parents just once or twice a year.

"That's quite a commitment to make," the 54-year-old Engelkes said, as youngsters fan out across the academy's pitches.