These guys are 18, they're not 22. They should be waiting for their opportunity, earning it and taking it. Their agents should be encouraging them to be patient too as they are trying to break into a club at the elite levels in Europe. With such money in the game though, the agents will seek a move to enhance playing time knowing that the next move is likely to bring them personally £5m.
We tread a fine line. We bought Mahrez because he will be a major player for us in the league this season and for the next couple while players like Diaz and Foden will be gently introduced with gradually increasing game time. In Foden's case, that is happening now. In Diaz's case, either Pep thinks he is not at Foden's level, or there has been a little acrimony behind the scenes. I suspect it's the former and that is the manager's right. With players of this talent though there is such a demand and the risks are high. We cannot complain though, or players like Gomes from PSG and Garcia from Barcelona turn us into hypocrites while we bemoan the loss of Sancho to Dortmund.
I speak as someone who would forgo some success to bring youth into the team. There is a tremendous buzz about young players coming through that buying ready made talent does not offer. I speak as a fan though, not someone who has invested into the club strategy financially, or who is answerable to the owner and the board. I also speak as someone who lived through decades of relative failure and for whom even a fleeting glimpse of success is an absolute bonus.
We tread a fine line. We bought Mahrez because he will be a major player for us in the league this season and for the next couple while players like Diaz and Foden will be gently introduced with gradually increasing game time. In Foden's case, that is happening now. In Diaz's case, either Pep thinks he is not at Foden's level, or there has been a little acrimony behind the scenes. I suspect it's the former and that is the manager's right. With players of this talent though there is such a demand and the risks are high. We cannot complain though, or players like Gomes from PSG and Garcia from Barcelona turn us into hypocrites while we bemoan the loss of Sancho to Dortmund.
I speak as someone who would forgo some success to bring youth into the team. There is a tremendous buzz about young players coming through that buying ready made talent does not offer. I speak as a fan though, not someone who has invested into the club strategy financially, or who is answerable to the owner and the board. I also speak as someone who lived through decades of relative failure and for whom even a fleeting glimpse of success is an absolute bonus.