With Semir Chiesa’s takeover came a clear and public commitment: Chur would no longer merely talk about youth, they would invest in it, protect it, and – crucially – trust it. In a canton where identity, continuity and development carry real cultural weight, that promise matters. And as Chur continue to stabilise themselves at Challenge League level, it is worth pausing to examine what that commitment has already produced: a quietly impressive pipeline of home-grown and academy-developed players who are not only contributing minutes, but shaping the club’s sporting identity.

Andrea Favara stands as the clearest expression of Chur’s modern academy success. Now entering his ninth season at the club, the wide playmaker has become a model of consistency in an environment defined by transition. Across six of his eight senior seasons, Favara has logged the equivalent of more than five full matches, returning—on average – a goal or assist every other game. Even at his statistical low point, he still contributed a decisive action every three matches; at his peak, that rose to two goal contributions every five games.

The data paints an even more revealing picture. Favara’s low intensity load index indicates that much of his work is performed at high speed and with purpose. A low defensive intelligence index reflects his aggressive ball-winning in Chur’s early press, while a consistently high verticality threat underlines his instinct to break lines – either by driving forward with the ball or playing vertically into the penalty area. Perhaps most impressive is the remarkably low standard deviation across his output over six seasons: Favara is not a streak player, but a reliable one.

Although only 23, he may no longer be considered a guaranteed starter as Iñaki Arriola pushes Chur toward the top flight, but his value goes beyond the team sheet. Favara has now played at every level of Swiss football from the fifth tier to the second, accumulating close to 200 senior appearances. As the first Graubünden-born player to emerge from the academy since the club’s 2025 rebrand, he remains a beacon for aspiring youngsters – and a tangible symbol that the pathway is real.

Elsewhere in the first team, Giuliano Grafcontinues to anchor Chur’s defensive core. The Chur-born centre-back has now surpassed 100 appearances for the club, having made his debut in the fourth tier before growing into a regular at Challenge League level over the past three seasons. Reliable, positionally sound and tactically disciplined, Graf embodies the understated defensive competence Arriola values so highly. Marvin Hodler offers a different expression of that same trust. Originally developed as a holding midfielder, Hodler has increasingly been redeployed on the left side of defence – particularly within Chur’s evolving 2-3-5 build-up structure. From there, he steps inside to dictate play in open spaces, using his ball-playing ability to support progression. Still primarily a rotational option, Hodler has made over 40 senior appearances across the past two seasons, including 20 starts, having also debuted in the fourth tier. His adaptability speaks directly to the profile Arriola seeks: tactically intelligent, positionally flexible, and coachable.

Mario Silva’s rise has been one of the quiet stories of the season. In just his second full year at the club, the attacking midfielder has already made eight first-team appearances – 14 in total across competitions. A prototypical “Arriola 10,” Silva is comfortable operating centrally or drifting from the left, combining technical quality with an unselfish work ethic. He embodies the Basque DNA the manager often references: intelligent movement, collective responsibility, and decision-making under pressure. Internally, the belief is that his ceiling is extremely high.

Jonathan Carames’ pathway has been less linear, but no less considered. Having gained senior experience on loan at Wil and their second team – nearly 30 appearances in total – the former attacking midfielder has been encouraged to operate higher up the pitch to refine his link play. Discussions are ongoing about a potential loan move to Schaffhausen in the third tier, aimed at raising the competitive level of his minutes. For Chur, the priority is development over immediacy. On the left flank, the combination of Nelio Cortesi and Marvin Hodler offers long-term continuity. Cortesi, originally a more advanced midfielder, has reinvented himself as an inverted left-back, stepping inside to influence play during build-up. Talks are underway regarding a short-term loan lower down the pyramid to secure regular senior minutes – an opportunity many within the club believe he has the personality to seize. Raffael Andreas has already made his mark in limited exposure. Two first-team appearances have yielded two goals, including a stunning long-range strike in the cup. Physically imposing and naturally suited to a defensive midfield role, Andreas is now seeking consistent senior football to accelerate his progression.

If the current cohort represents consolidation, the Class of 2034 hints at something more ambitious.

Ilan Tomic is impossible to ignore. Standing at 6’7”, the towering striker has already opened his first-team account and is reportedly developing “exceptionally well” according to sources inside the club. His physical profile alone makes him a rare commodity, and interest from Super League sides has already been noted – an early test of Chur’s resolve to protect their emerging assets. Nenad Juric, meanwhile, offers a contrasting profile. Slightly smaller than his compatriot, Juric has transitioned into a wide role, where his movement and adaptability are being refined. Still early in his development, he represents the breadth of profiles now emerging from Chur’s youth system.

What ties these stories together is not hype, but structure. Chur’s youth development is now is a living pathway, reinforced by minutes, responsibility and trust. Under Arriola, academy players are not rushed, but neither are they hidden. They are introduced deliberately, challenged tactically, and measured against the demands of the first team. With Semir Chiesa’s backing and a clear philosophical alignment from boardroom to dugout, Chur’s youth system is beginning to resemble something sustainable rather than symbolic. For a club balancing ambition with identity, that may prove to be the most valuable asset of all.