Bayern Munich will this week compete for the honour of being the best club side in the world and, in doing so, will also demonstrate the strength of their club's youth development system over recent years.

Of the current squad, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Holger Badstuber, Thomas Muller, Diego Contento and David Alaba all emerged from the club's youth setup, with many playing key roles in the side's recent rise to the top of the game.

Per a recent ECA report, the club's Sabener Strasse academy costs €3 million per year to run, with 40 staff looking after over 180 youngsters. At present, it is proving to be worth every penny.

The report states that key to the academy's philosophy is "to integrate mental and physical strength in players," with an emphasis on local players understanding the club's identity. At present, the approach is working perfectly.

Notable Graduates: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Holger Badstuber, Thomas Muller, Diego Contento, David Alaba, Owen Hargreaves, Dietmar Hamann, Markus Babbel.