Varane made his Madrid debut against us in the CL aged 18 I think.
It is about the manager’s decisions and his trust. Pep had a reputation at Barca for trusting youth but his time at Bayern and City suggests that was possibly a fallacy based more on a political/cultural or even economic imperative to promote La Masia, rather than a true belief or policy. Only Pep himself truly knows.
Make no mistake, City's current academy players are potentially a golden age. We may not see a group this talented for 20 years or more. They’ve won everything in front of them, breaking all previous records.
The depth is frightening. Luke Mbete plays like he did on Tuesday night yet he’s probably behind Calum Doyle, a year younger, who is already tearing up League One and dominating huge, streetwise veteran centre forwards at 17. THB at 19 being favourably compared in Belgium to Vinny. Finley Burns, 18, was hugely smart and intelligent enough to drop off Akinfenwa knowing he'd nearly always win the first header but would then struggle to control the ball afterwards.
Lavia, Palmer, McAtee having exactly the sort of games I hoped they would. CJ and especially Josh at full backs visibly growing in confidence and stature with each passing minute. Absolutely loved it.
It would be criminal if four or five of these lads aren’t squad members five years from now and saving us a fortune on underwhelming yet hugely expensive squad players like Mendy, Ake etc
Rule changes needed to encourage this imo. Maybe allow five subs but two have to be academy players with less than 20 first team appearances. This would work for clubs at all levels and make academy players more valuable to their clubs.All goes back to having 2 of them on the bench in every game, with 9 subs 7 regular first team players can cover all the options and a couple of lads there who can get proper game experience when let's be honest 75% of our games are over after 60 mins so EVEN if they did fuck something up it wouldn't matter.
Sadly I can't see that happening we'll continue to have 3/4 experienced AM's on there when 2 would do, and 2 CH's when 1 would do...there are the 2 spots right there.
Varane made his Madrid debut against us in the CL aged 18 I think.
It is about the manager’s decisions and his trust. Pep had a reputation at Barca for trusting youth but his time at Bayern and City suggests that was possibly a fallacy based more on a political/cultural or even economic imperative to promote La Masia, rather than a true belief or policy. Only Pep himself truly knows.
Make no mistake, City's current academy players are potentially a golden age. We may not see a group this talented for 20 years or more. They’ve won everything in front of them, breaking all previous records.
The depth is frightening. Luke Mbete plays like he did on Tuesday night yet he’s probably behind Calum Doyle, a year younger, who is already tearing up League One and dominating huge, streetwise veteran centre forwards at 17. THB at 19 being favourably compared in Belgium to Vinny. Finley Burns, 18, was hugely smart and intelligent enough to drop off Akinfenwa knowing he'd nearly always win the first header but would then struggle to control the ball afterwards.
Lavia, Palmer, McAtee having exactly the sort of games I hoped they would. CJ and especially Josh at full backs visibly growing in confidence and stature with each passing minute. Absolutely loved it.
It would be criminal if four or five of these lads aren’t squad members five years from now and saving us a fortune on underwhelming yet hugely expensive squad players like Mendy, Ake etc
Agree. Way to do it is to contain it and focus on 1-2 prospects and give them multiple starts and sub appearancesThere are many ways to get these kids into our team, the manager has got to want to do it though.
It is a fallacy to suggest that a team like ourselves can not find the space to develop youth players and jeopardise our chance of success.
I am sure I noticed a 16yo playing and scoring for Barcelona the other season, now been given Messi's number 10 at 18yo.
One example.
Whilst I sort of agree. We have alot of first team squad players who need minutes. If they didn't get them over a youth player I'd guess they'll be some issues.There are many ways to get these kids into our team, the manager has got to want to do it though.
It is a fallacy to suggest that a team like ourselves can not find the space to develop youth players and jeopardise our chance of success.
I am sure I noticed a 16yo playing and scoring for Barcelona the other season, now been given Messi's number 10 at 18yo.
One example.
I am an advocate for blooding them from the bench when we have a substantial lead, 10/15 mins at 3-0 up etc no first team player needs 15 mins, it would then allow us to rotate the first team more often from the start, as much as I like us winning the league cup I still believe at times Pep has gone over the top on his player selection and best teams 9-0 etc, Tuesday showed that a good mix of youth and first team can get the job done amply.Whilst I sort of agree. We have alot of first team squad players who need minutes. If they didn't get them over a youth player I'd guess they'll be some issues.
Everyone looks at other European sides on why it's works but at City and in England the best teams challenging for trophies can't just throw kids in. Too much pressure if we/they lose.
Amazing isn’t it as soon as anyone leaves us they suddenly become world class players. Imagine the plaudits Kev will get when he eventually leaves!Great news that he's now been anointed official successor to Kane as the best young striker in the country by the blessed Murphy on MOTD2, good job we've got a cheap buyback option to bring him home in January.