I agree that we should, but the pace of his development shouldn't alter because of fan fear that he will go elsewhere. We have to do what is right for the player's development, and the club, above all other considerations.
Come on then schfc6 when you think he should get time on the bench?? I think this side of Christmas. You have said in 18mths time if I recall correctly?? . He will be 19 then. And I think by then would have left City for pastures new. And who would blame him. Pep isn't infallible. He made mistakes like playing Navas.
I agree with your point. Sancho, Campbell and Duncan had no affiliation with us though, we had taken them from elsewhere.There should be very real club fears that he'll leave; Campbell, Sancho and Duncan have already done so.
That doesn't mean that he should be starting ahead of Silva and De Bruyne (that's a huge straw man) but giving him a spot on the bench and a chance here and there will do wonders for Foden, show the rest of the academy that there is a plan to the first team, and won't really harm us as a team - he and Diaz fitted in very well in preseason and didn't look out of place.
Ok no probs I thought you had. But I'm asking the question now. Do you think 19 yrs old? I think he will be gone by then. Especially of City keep buying players ahead of him. If he gets some game time in the CL group stage ganes if we secure top spot and the league cup will be a sign that Pep has faith in him. He was on the bench for liverpool but even at home with us 4-0 up against 10men Pep didn't bring him on for 10mins. Sane came on instead. You could say that was a perfect opportunity missed ?I never put a time frame on it. Not once. I said he'll get game time. He trains with the first team and didn't Pep pretty much say he & Diaz would have been involved vs Wolves.
19 is a lot more reasonable age to be expecting to get regular game time than 17.
17 is incredibly young. I think it's way too early to be worrying about his lack of game time.
We'd already 'lost' one substitution opportunity with Ederson's injury. Sane came on and scored the 5th, and has been in great form since, so it could be argued Pep got it spot onHe was on the bench for liverpool but even at home with us 4-0 up against 10men Pep didn't bring him on for 10mins. Sane came on instead. You could say that was a perfect opportunity missed ?
We'd already 'lost' one substitution opportunity with Ederson's injury. Sane came on and scored the 5th, and has been in great form since, so it could be argued Pep got it spot on
I think the media and a few superstar teen players have warped peoples expectations. Suddenly everyone needs to be playing like Messi and Ronaldo from 18 years old but in reality it doesnt work like that. A handful of players break through at 18/19 but I would bet the majority are closer to 21+ before they establish themselves.
Players / Agents are becoming more proactive in getting the best for their careers and arnt prepared to wait for a 10min sub appearance once or twice a year. They want to be the next big thing and back themselves to achieve it if they get a proper chance at first team football.
Personally I think we have done a piss poor job of promoting youth due to shortsighted transfers, filling the squad with average backups who were barely capable of standing in for the first team when called on anyway, just a waste of time and money. Would have preferred to see some of our own get a chance, if only 1 of them managed to impress and fight for a place in the squad it would have been worth it over the millions wasted and set an example for future youth players that if they work hard they can get into the side.
Only now have we finally cleared a lot of the deadwood out, it should hopefully mean we supplement the star players with youth rather than sign more average backups.
Its up to us to prove to our youngsters they will get a chance or they will look to move to clubs who will.
Wasn’t 2 of Barcelona best ever players were on the bench in the semi-final of a champs league game age 22 and 23?