Nah Sancho is a prodigy for his level - it's all relative. Of course he is. He's just won player of the tournament at the u17s Euros ahead of any of the spanish players who beat England in the final. Literally singled out as the best player at the tournament, and he deserved it
You're trying too hard here. Every club in the world worth anything is looking at him and that's not bullshit.
NK's definition included the caveat mentioned above which rule out every other EDS player. So it doesnt fit them all.
He is a top player in his age group, no doubt, but that age group isn't the "sweet spot" for the Premier League, unless you are absolutely exceptional. We look at players this age all the time, because they fund the academies! Bring them in, nurture them, try to develop them and, if they are good, but not good enough, when they get to maturity, you sell them on to the second tier clubs that need well trained, well coached talent that has been nurtured with a good work ethic. That keeps the electric on AND, it is hoped, will provide one or two First team members that will save you £50-100M one day!
Denayer plays for his country. Mangala plays for his country. Nasri has lots of medals in his closet. These are players who have done it, and in some cases been bought and sold for tens of millions...but they are not considered good enough for this team!!! Yes, I understand th need to nurture tomorrow's players, but to suggest that simply because some of them have not got 5 mins on the field at the Etihad in front of 50,000 fans that they are being harmed is nonsense. It is a process, and at every step of that process, their pulse is being taken. Do they know how to travel, do they fit in, do they understand their responsibilities, etc, and to, etc...it is not only about time onnth field at this age! I traveled to an international tournament with Leeds United Youth Team back in the day. While we were on the road, all the above was stressed and you could see that some people (not "players") were simply immature idiots. Everyone could see it. They didn't show up in the suit provided. They didn't wear their tie. They swore in public. They were disrespectful of others, because they thought that they were the big I am, etc, etc...all before ever kicking a ball! So, you have to be the complete package before you can be considered to be mature enough for the top flaight. It is only once you are there're, doing the business, that the bullshit is considered somewhat acceptable, and even then, at City today, that is STILL unacceptable. Just look at the "black boot policy." It is baked in!
Tell me a City player who is constantly making tabloid news (other than Sterling, who is the player the media loves to hate!). It is verboten at City. Pep doesn't want it, but he treats the players like adults, probably because he was a player and an adult back in the day. Sex the night before a game? Yes, please, I want my players happy! Perfect answer!! However, embarrass Sheikh Mansour or Khladoon or Pep and you are very thin ice, if not neck deep and calling for help!
These are all things that are integral to a players development. I think that part of this equation has been overlooked. Pep is not going to be leveraged. You either want it or you don't. If you don't, then fuck off and we will do just fine without you. However, if you do, the clubs aim is to be at the pinnacle of European football. If that doesn't give any player a chubby, nothing will!
