Kelechi Iheanacho

[vintiz]

FFS the lad can't even make the starting lineup of the U20 Nigeria team yet most on here reckon he's fit for the first team...



Maybe Pellegrini had the right idea about our "youth" prospects, I reckon a few on here owe him
an apology. **cough** Damo **cough**

;) - or maybe people shouldn't jump to conclusions without knowing the full story...

He wasn't the only one dropped anyway. We have a crucial game to play in a few days time so no need to start them. Nacho wasn't a 'liability in defence vs Brazil' we just don't have a goal keeper!

 

[billymumphrey]

For some reason he thought it would be funny to post part of it in white, although I'm still struggling to work out what he's talking about...

My point was that so many people on this site jump to conclusions without knowing the full story.

Pellers names the team sheet for Southhampton and everyone jumps down his throat about not playing youth, without knowing the full story. All manner of variables could be at play.

I was just making a purposefully inflammatory statement about the Nacho being dropped, much the same as I have seen on the site at times with no basis or evidence to back it up, but twisting a situation to promote one's own position.

For the record I reckon he was probably rested as the opposition was North Korea. Also for the record I think he's a good player and have posted elsewhere that I would like him to be in the first team next season - especially if we decide to play one up front as I reckon with Aguero, Bony and Nacho. He should get a decent amount of time to play, and not stunt his development if this eventuates. However if it doesn't happen then I trust the footballing brains at my club.

 

[MC ID]

My point was that so many people on this site jump to conclusions without knowing the full story.

Pellers names the team sheet for Southhampton and everyone jumps down his throat about not playing youth, without knowing the full story. All manner of variables could be at play.

I was just making a purposefully inflammatory statement about the Nacho being dropped, much the same as I have seen on the site at times with no basis or evidence to back it up, but twisting a situation to promote one's own position.

For the record I reckon he was probably rested as the opposition was North Korea. Also for the record I think he's a good player and have posted elsewhere that I would like him to be in the first team next season - especially if we decide to play one up front as I reckon with Aguero, Bony and Nacho. He should get a decent amount of time to play, and not stunt his development if this eventuates. However if it doesn't happen then I trust the footballing brains at my club.

I dunno, two years of Pellers being shit with youth seems pretty full to me. Then again Blind faith and all that

 

[billymumphrey]

I dunno, two years of Pellers being shit with youth seems pretty full to me. Then again Blind faith and all that

I don't think it's blind faith mate. In so far as I can see, none of the players we've released in the last few years has actually gone on to have stellar careers befitting of a club of our ambitions (playing regularly and consistently making an impact for teams that have ambitions to reach the later stages of the CL, challenge for their domestic leagues and cups). To me that's meant that they weren't good enough for first team, which vindicates the decision to move them on. I think a point of criticism is why were some of these players brought in in the first place, but that's an issue not related to our youth players.

 

[jon stakes]

I think the reason is simpler. Musa Yahaya, Isaac Success, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho are obviously Nigeria's best forward players. Thing is the have been in Europe while the coach Manu Garba was training with the players that were based in Nigeria. After the Brasil loss where he played a lot of foreign-based players he decided to revert back to the side that won him the African Youth Cup and slowly introduce the foreign based players. Hopefully however Success, Yahaya and Iheanacho are the front three next game, although I doubt it as Saviour Godwin and Taiwo Awoniyi may be deemed untouchable.

 

[MC ID]

I don't think it's blind faith mate. In so far as I can see, none of the players we've released in the last few years has actually gone on to have stellar careers befitting of a club of our ambitions (playing regularly and consistently making an impact for teams that have ambitions to reach the later stages of the CL, challenge for their domestic leagues and cups). To me that's meant that they weren't good enough for first team, which vindicates the decision to move them on. I think a point of criticism is why were some of these players brought in in the first place, but that's an issue not related to our youth players.

Fair play, you make a decent point buddy. Though from watching our current crop (nach/denayer/lopes) at least one of them should be getting an opportunity to impress, we always have the winter window to loan then out if it doesn't work out how we hope but they definitely have a lot of talent between, much more than previous youth members I've seen.

 

[Neville Kneville]

The only youth players we had in the past who are in any way comparable to the standard we have at the club in droves now, mostly have been playing Premier League football for years. SWP, Ireland, Sturridge, Micah, Ned, Barton, even Ched Evans was heading toward the Prem before he got banged up. These lads are miles better footballers. Much smarter. Much more intelligent & aware.

That would indicate that the present bunch have a great chance of making it there & that the best ones, like Iheanacho, have a great chance of making it at City.

 

[Centurions]

The only youth players we had in the past who are in any way comparable to the standard we have at the club in droves now, mostly have been playing Premier League football for years. SWP, Ireland, Sturridge, Micah, Ned, Barton, even Ched Evans was heading toward the Prem before he got banged up. These lads are miles better footballers. Much smarter. Much more intelligent & aware.

That would indicate that the present bunch have a great chance of making it there & that the best ones, like Iheanacho, have a great chance of making it at City.

Yep, there was a definite gap between the take over and now where the academy suddenly had a much higher bar to get over. People getting worked up over the "lack" of youth in the team aren't taking that into account, the quality just hasn't been there. There will be 3 likely suspects that may be in the 1st team squad next season but the likes of Barker and Nemane etc. need more time or a decent loan to be considered.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Yep, there was a definite gap between the take over and now where the academy suddenly had a much higher bar to get over. People getting worked up over the "lack" of youth in the team aren't taking that into account, the quality just hasn't been there. There will be 3 likely suspects that may be in the 1st team squad next season but the likes of Barker and Nemane etc. need more time or a decent loan to be considered.

What I would like to see in an ideal world, is that the core of that team unit, who are all mostly well below the age of the PL reserve league, stick together as a team & then get occasional chances off the bench or in cup games etc so that by the end of next season, a bunch of them are ready to join the likes of Denayer etc as full, first team squad players.

Unfortunately they probably won't get the chances on the bench though, so as you say, it may have to be loans. But I would much prefer them to be brought through here.

 

[SlimShadyRus]

I dunno, two years of Pellers being shit with youth seems pretty full to me. Then again Blind faith and all that

This