Jadon Sancho

[Easy]

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!

Brilliant post.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Like"legend," the word is thrown around too much and inflates people's sense of self. If he was a prodigy in the order of football prodigies, he would be playing first team football already. Look at Mbappe, or maybe even Rooney back in the day. In English football, a prodigy is someone who is playing first team football as a teenager. This kid has all the tools to be a great player....except maybe one, the head needed to keep the feet on the ground!

He has sparkled as a kid, because we all oooo and aaaah over a stepover, a bit of dribbling and anyone with a bit of flash. One wonders why we don't just sign up those professional kids who tour the world showing off their tekkers!!

All I'm saying is IF eh breaks into the first team, plays regularly, and can do the business at THAT level, then I might call him a prodigy. For now, he is a kid with some "mad skillz" as the kids say, but I have yet to see him perform week in week out at the top level. Show me that and I will grant you his prodigy status. Maybe you go by the broad definition in a dictionary, but I go by the accomplishments of the player and the age at which he asserts himself on the top stage. Given your definition, every single EDS player is a fucking prodigy!!!

Well then your definition is wrong.

 

[Sir peace frog]

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!

Bullshit you didn't mention haircuts and dabbing

 

[Neville Kneville]

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!

What on earth are you talking about ?

Seriously ?

They are here to learn how to wear ties, & speak nicely, but playing in front of large crowds alongside David Silva, is no use to them ? Seriously ?

And if we had a kid at 17, as good as Nasri or Mangala are now, then that kid would be a fucking genius, to be that good without ever playing senior football.

Think about it. Think about the 'process' you are describing.

We haven't managed to create a fucking fullback, who can play 15 mins in the Prem, even if all our other fullbacks were dead, in 7 years, but we have one at Spurs, who came out before the 'process' started. This in spite of having scouts all over the world & spending 100s of millions.

We can't get ONE single new player, since Mark Hughes was sacked. Yet prior to that, we had a bunch.

Ah but Richards, Nedum, SWP, Ireland, Johnson, Sturridge etc would also cost us the title if we gave any of them 5 mins in the first team, so would all have to stay in the reserves for two years then go to Bury on loan for a few years, as they would be too much of a risk, compared to Delph, Bony, Kolarov, Sinclair, Jack Rodwell, Bravo etc etc..

Or alternatively: the academy is fucking shite, as we can't find any players good enough to be worthy of 5 mins now, wheras before, we could.

Either the people at the academy should be out of a job, ALL OF THEM, or the academy is doing its part & the blockade of the first team is the problem.

It is not possible, at all, for the 'process' to be working, & produce FUCK ALL, not even a decent substitute, since Khaldoon began 'improving' it in 2008.

 

[squirtyflower]

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!

What a change, a well balanced objective post without all the wailing and gnashing of teeth others have filled the thread with.
There are so many routes a young man can take to success in any walk of life. As there are so many pitfalls.

Not all great footballers become great players. My brother in law was the 'best of his generation' when he signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers. On receiving his first 'big' pay check he went on a night of booze and gambling with the senior pros. And then he went on another then another then another.....
He hasn't lost the habit now although he never 'made it' as a footballer and he's managed to lose three houses and be on the run from HMRC in the process.
Looking back I guess it was Blackburn's fault for not giving him the minutes on the pitch.

 

[andyhinch]

What on earth are you talking about ?

Seriously ?

They are here to learn how to wear ties, & speak nicely, but playing in front of large crowds alongside David Silva, is no use to them ? Seriously ?

And if we had a kid at 17, as good as Nasri or Mangala are now, then that kid would be a fucking genius, to be that good without ever playing senior football.

Think about it. Think about the 'process' you are describing.

We haven't managed to create a fucking fullback, who can play 15 mins in the Prem, even if all our other fullbacks were dead, in 7 years, but we have one at Spurs, who came out before the 'process' started. This in spite of having scouts all over the world & spending 100s of millions.

We can't get ONE single new player, since Mark Hughes was sacked. Yet prior to that, we had a bunch.

Ah but Richards, Nedum, SWP, Ireland, Johnson, Sturridge etc would also cost us the title if we gave any of them 5 mins in the first team, so would all have to stay in the reserves for two years then go to Bury on loan for a few years, as they would be too much of a risk, compared to Delph, Bony, Kolarov, Sinclair, Jack Rodwell, Bravo etc etc..

Or alternatively: the academy is fucking shite, as we can't find any players good enough to be worthy of 5 mins now, wheras before, we could.

Either the people at the academy should be out of a job, ALL OF THEM, or the academy is doing its part & the blockade of the first team is the problem.

It is not possible, at all, for the 'process' to be working, & produce FUCK ALL, not even a decent substitute, since Khaldoon began 'improving' it in 2008.

I can't help but feel your skewing his post in your own mind to suit your own narrative, he talks about lot of sense for me.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I can't help but feel your skewing his post in your own mind to suit your own narrative, he talks about lot of sense for me.

I could go through it line by line.

But the first one, for instance: 'it keeps the electric on'. selling academy players.

Yeah that sounds great, we make a fortune on this. Except we don't.

The players we are selling, are not academy players & most of them have not even seen the place.

If his post is correct & selling kids 'keeps the electric on' then our academy is being financed by buying players from other people's academies,, sending them on loan elsewhere & then selling them.

If that is its purpose, here's a better solution; close it & keep the money.

I could go through the other points, but that one will do for now.

 

[br88]

What on earth are you talking about ?

Seriously ?

Ah but Richards, Nedum, SWP, Ireland, Johnson, Sturridge etc would also cost us the title if we gave any of them 5 mins in the first team, so would all have to stay in the reserves for two years then go to Bury on loan for a few years, as they would be too much of a risk, compared to Delph, Bony, Kolarov, Sinclair, Jack Rodwell, Bravo etc etc..



.

Very confusing comments by you about Nedum, SWP and Richards etc. as they had long spells in the first team.....what's this 5 minutes you're talking about.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Very confusing comments by you about Nedum, SWP and Richards etc. as they had long spells in the first team.....what's this 5 minutes you're talking about.

It's not actually confusing at all tbh.

You would have to read the thread.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Well then your definition is wrong.

Not interested in pedantic arguments, mate. Made my point. You enjoy yours.