"I see myself as the gatekeeper of the academy and I'm very, very proud."
After a half-an-hour chat with Cardiff City's head of academy, David Hughes, that quote is about as apt as any to sum up just how he views his role at the club. Of course, given the well-documented success of the academy in recent times, it's easy to see just why he is bursting with pride.
After many barren years, spanning a decade or more, Cardiff's production line looks as fit-for-purpose as it has for some time. Hughes joined the club from Southampton in November 2020, initially as head of academy coaching, and was excited about unlocking the clear potential that lay within the Bluebirds' youth setup.
