Former Academy Kids

[Dubciteh]

We were not at the bare bones. Google is your friend here. Otamendi and Stones on the bench. Even Fern could have played that position.

He was forced in because Pep anted gun to sign a new contract. End of.

We only had 3 centre backs at the club for 19-20 when Garcia made his debut. One of them was John Stones who was injured for most of that season. He moved to barca in the summer of 2021, in the season before 20-21 where he had announced his contract rejection, he only played 6 times in the prem as we won the league and a few of those were dead rubbers at the end where we had already wrapped up the league.

He got his chance in 19-20 because we were down to the bare bones and he did ok so got more chances. There were a couple of games towards the end of that season that people were up n arms about him starting as far as i remember people werent happy about like the Champions league loss to Lyon but he was in there beside Laporte and Fernandinho in a back three. Stones was ever injured that season despite being on the bench(didnt start consecutive games til October and then missed all of december and most of Jan) and everyone wanted him gone. Not sure what the issue with Otamendi was(other than him being mostly shit) but neither he or stones played the last two prem games of the season(Garcia did) that we won that year. We didnt replace Kompany that was our big mistake our only other central defender was Laporte so starting the season with just 3 centre backs one of them Stones who was/is never fit meant Garcia was always going to get games as we were down to the bare bones before we even started. Fern could do a job there but was more needed in midfield as Rodri had just joined and was mostly shit too that season

Looking at the 19/20 season its no wonder we were so poor just like this summer it had a massive hole in the squad before the season started(only 3 centre backs) versus this season with no back up striker or DM.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

We were not at the bare bones. Google is your friend here. Otamendi and Stones on the bench. Even Fern could have played that position.

He was forced in because Pep anted gun to sign a new contract. End of.

He made his debut way before the games you mentioned and did well. Otamendi had fell off badly by that point and Stones was out of favour massively, he was nearly out the door before he found that great partnership with Dias.

 

[decmancity]

You mentioned Palmer and Rogers specifically.
We had an option to buy back Rogers for 11m but didn't take it up.
Palmer wanted to go on loan which I think would have been a better decision. It would have given him the necessary game time to prove himself.
We sold him with no buy back clause inserted.

Not even Villa thought Rogers would perform at the level he has shown this year. It was a punt on a homegrown player to fill out the squad and Emery has given him the confidence to unlock the potential.

Palmer could have gone on loan and bombed and then what, nothing is a guarantee. Rogers had several shite loans, got a permanent move for a couple million and wasnt even that great there.

Chelsea aren't going to give us a buy back and even if we did, why would he want to come back?

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Not even Villa thought Rogers would perform at the level he has shown this year. It was a punt on a homegrown player to fill out the squad and Emery has given him the confidence to unlock the potential.

Palmer could have gone on loan and bombed and then what, nothing is a guarantee. Rogers had several shite loans, got a permanent move for a couple million and wasnt even that great there.

Chelsea aren't going to give us a buy back and even if we did, why would he want to come back?

I'm not disagreeing with you at all.
I said at the start of my quote that no one knows who is going to be a top player in the academy in 2 or 3 years time.
I do think that we need to provide some route or method that we can assess their quality better.
Whether that is loans / buy back clauses or something else?

 

[stockportblue]

Obviously cock ups have happened. Nothing can be done about the damage bow. Trick is to learn from the mistakes and make sure the problems don't repeat especially with so much talent in the under 18s and a potentially special age group at u14 I am told.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Palmer could have gone on loan and bombed and then what, nothing is a guarantee. Rogers had several shite loans, got a permanent move for a couple million and wasnt even that great there.

I’d argue foden was a guarantee. With certain players you can see it from a young age. Of course luck plays a part as well.

You could see it with Palmer as well. Sometimes they just need a chance. Mcatee is the big one at the moment, who I rated above Palmer in our academy

 

[Platt Lane 59]

Not even Villa thought Rogers would perform at the level he has shown this year. It was a punt on a homegrown player to fill out the squad and Emery has given him the confidence to unlock the potential.

Palmer could have gone on loan and bombed and then what, nothing is a guarantee. Rogers had several shite loans, got a permanent move for a couple million and wasnt even that great there.

Chelsea aren't going to give us a buy back and even if we did, why would he want to come back?

It will be interesting to see how well Cole performs the rest of this season ?
He is definitely getting attention from opponents, this season.
At the moment, all is going well for Chelsea, in the league.
But, playing in obscure places in that Europa Conference (which they should definitely win) on a Thursday, will knacker them.
I feel Cole may have hit his peak, with him being targeted and perhaps getting rougher treatment.
Will be interesting to see how he reacts to this ?

 

[Xhavenjoe]

It will be interesting to see how well Cole performs the rest of this season ?
He is definitely getting attention from opponents, this season.
At the moment, all is going well for Chelsea, in the league.
But, playing in obscure places in that Europa Conference (which they should definitely win) on a Thursday, will knacker them.

Cole Palmer isn't even on the Europa Conference league squad.
He's getting plenty of rest.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

He made his debut way before the games you mentioned and did well. Otamendi had fell off badly by that point and Stones was out of favour massively, he was nearly out the door before he found that great partnership with Dias.

None of that is true haha. Garcia’s contract was up and Pep was pushing him in the first team to try and make him stay.

Why are you trying to rewrite history when the proof is out there. Stones and Otamendi on the bench when you originally stated we had injuries.

It’s okay to criticise Pep. No one will hurt you for pointing the obvious out. It will be okay.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

News of our ex academy man

Brian Barry Murphy is the new assistant manager at Leicester City, with the coach working directly underneath Ruud van Nistelrooy.

 

[Feed the Elk]

Because apart from one massive mistake, they're simply good players, but not our required standard (well, when it was elite). All this, but try them, give them a go etc. Any coach/manager worth their salt, knows within 15 minutes what level they'll be.

The best managers are able to get more out of players than otherwise expected. Pep should have clung on to those players who weren’t quite there but have gone on to prove they have what it takes.

Hate to use him as an example but Fergie was the master at this

 

[oldius]

The best managers are able to get more out of players than otherwise expected. Pep should have clung on to those players who weren’t quite there but have gone on to prove they have what it takes.

Hate to use him as an example but Fergie was the master at this

Pep shouldn't have really done much differently than he has done.
We are the best team of the decade in terms of sporting success. Our academy is entirely self-funding and has provided an income stream that has allowed us to invest significantly in the first team while maintaining financial prudence. The business of Manchester City has become a symbol of excellence.

I have always wanted us to introduce more academy players because I get a great deal of enjoyment from it. Other than Palmer, however, there is no player that has left who would/could have replaced who we had in the first team at that time. Our recent run of results with a small squad devastated by injury has drawn attention to our academy players - it is no more than that.

The future may be different because we have a new DOF arriving at the same time as an especially talented group of young players is emerging; I hope so.

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

Pep shouldn't have really done much differently than he has done.
We are the best team of the decade in terms of sporting success. Our academy is entirely self-funding and has provided an income stream that has allowed us to invest significantly in the first team while maintaining financial prudence. The business of Manchester City has become a symbol of excellence.

I have always wanted us to introduce more academy players because I get a great deal of enjoyment from it. Other than Palmer, however, there is no player that has left who would/could have replaced who we had in the first team at that time. Our recent run of results with a small squad devastated by injury has drawn attention to our academy players - it is no more than that.

The future may be different because we have a new DOF arriving at the same time as an especially talented group of young players is emerging; I hope so.

Hahahahaha

 

[oldius]

Hahahahaha

I have absolutely no idea what this is.

 

[Chappie]

Hahahahaha

Go on then enlighten us.
Which academy player that we have let go would have got into the team at the time of their departure ?

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Pep shouldn't have really done much differently than he has done.
We are the best team of the decade in terms of sporting success. Our academy is entirely self-funding and has provided an income stream that has allowed us to invest significantly in the first team while maintaining financial prudence. The business of Manchester City has become a symbol of excellence.

I have always wanted us to introduce more academy players because I get a great deal of enjoyment from it. Other than Palmer, however, there is no player that has left who would/could have replaced who we had in the first team at that time. Our recent run of results with a small squad devastated by injury has drawn attention to our academy players - it is no more than that.

The future may be different because we have a new DOF arriving at the same time as an especially talented group of young players is emerging; I hope so.

But it’s not necessarily a case of replacing. It’s being able to get enough minutes and experience to step in when required. Principally to give the senior players a rest.

 

[oldius]

But it’s not necessarily a case of replacing. It’s being able to get enough minutes and experience to step in when required. Principally to give the senior players a rest.

At this point, yes.
I have long supported the idea of the best academy graduates being given gradually increasing minutes in the first-team. Beginning in cup competitions, I believe there is a place for one academy starter surrounded by ten experienced professionals. This doesn't include Foden or Lewis, who are established. I would also bring on an academy substitute every time the game affords the opportunity to do so.

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

At this point, yes.
I have long supported the idea of the best academy graduates being given gradually increasing minutes in the first-team. Beginning in cup competitions, I believe there is a place for one academy starter surrounded by ten experienced professionals. This doesn't include Foden or Lewis, who are established. I would also bring on an academy substitute every time the game affords the opportunity to do so.

Yes, agree but in the last 5 or 6 seasons there will have been so many opportunities with us 2 or more goals up to introduce a young lad or 2. I’m principally thinking of Palmer bug others as well

 

[Sheikh rattle and roll]

The best managers are able to get more out of players than otherwise expected. Pep should have clung on to those players who weren’t quite there but have gone on to prove they have what it takes.

Hate to use him as an example but Fergie was the master at this

Delph
Zinchenko
Jesus
Pep did ok with those I seem to remember

 

[oldius]

Yes, agree but in the last 5 or 6 seasons there will have been so many opportunities with us 2 or more goals up to introduce a young lad or 2. I’m principally thinking of Palmer bug others as well

There have been, yes.