What is going on is we are giving our talented youngsters the chance to play at Premier League level in a team where they will have a better chance of getting a large number games under their belt, compared to the handful they would get if they stay and compete against the world class players we have. They will progress way more playing week in week out in the Premier League rather than getting 10-15 minutes off the bench here and there and the odd cup game against league 2 opposition. In addition the buying club are more likely to develop them than if they are just a 12m loan player.
In doing that we are also getting tens of millions of pounds and the option that we can buy them back if they progress (in top level English football rather than second tier European leagues) like they have the potential of doing. Also we are showing that kids in our academy come out at either our team (Foden, Palmer, McAtee) or if not they can get to the top level in Germany or the Premier League.
This site used to have a contributor (Neville Neville) who constantly said that the kids need playing time at the top level - Brandon Barker was one name he used who was on fire in the reserves but never got the chance at the right time and ended up fizzling out.
Honestly i can not see the down side in these moves, i think they are brilliant and get around the UK loan moves restrictions.
At least we are shrewd enough to put buy back clauses in the contract so I guess that covers our back if they turn out good. £10m seems very cheap in todays market mind.
Not just the youngsters though - Raz, Gabby, Ake, Zinny - how many players are we actually moving on this year? Whilst none are first teamers, I am concerned we could be running short on players and we don't want a scenario like at the end of last year.