Which former academy graduates...

[Prestwich_Blue]

Following on from the debate over playing the EDS lads, I was thinking about which former academy products might, at their peak, have got in the current side.

SWP is an obvious one of course who would certainly get in. Strangely, I'd also make a case for Joey Barton, who is a very solid midfield player in the Fernando/Fernandinho mode.

Onuoha might still be here if he hadn't fallen out with Mancini and Kieran Trippier was quite impressive for Burnley and would do as a back-up. Stevie Ireland would, based on that wonderful half-season he had but not otherwise. Sturridge certainly would, as would the Michael Johnson we saw play so well before it all went wrong.

Any others?

 

[aguero93:20]

Vlad Weiss had the talent to be a decent squad player if he'd done the hard work.

 

[Chappie]

All excellent players,but none would get in our present day team.
They were all just below top class and the clubs that they are now playing for, bear that out.

 

[es1]

All excellent players,but none would get in our present day team.
They were all just below top class and the clubs that they are now playing for, bear that out.

think sturridge would get in our squad, but i agree for everyone else!

would like to think michael johnson could have improved to play at this level, unfortunately we'll never know

 

[Matty]

All excellent players,but none would get in our present day team.
They were all just below top class and the clubs that they are now playing for, bear that out.

think sturridge would get in our squad, but i agree for everyone else!

would like to think michael johnson could have improved to play at this level, unfortunately we'll never know

I think, at his peak, SWP would have given Navas a run for his money. Barton would have been a useful squad player, but not a regular starter. Ireland's 1 season of brilliance was the exception rather than the rule for him, but if he'd been able to play like that for several seasons he'd certainly have been another squad option. The likes of Onuoha and Johnson I'm not convinved would ever have been good enough.

 

[eversince 76]

To be honest, SWP at his very best would have a slight chance. No one else I can think of. Not even Sturridge.

This is not a surprise as the level of youthplayers in every department has dramatically improved over the last 3 or 4 years. Especially the U18 holds a lot of really fantastic players with high expectations. If we could deliver one youngster every year it would be a great achievement. But I reckon the plan is already there for Viera to take over from Pellegrini and bring with him a handfull of players that will determine the next decade of succes.

 

[Gabriel]

SWP and Sturridge.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

sturridge and definitly micheal Johnson.

 

[aguero93:20]

Micah should be in here, if he hadn't gone to the olympics he could still be a vital part of the squad.

 

[Chappie]

sturridge and definitly micheal Johnson.

Michael Johnson in place of who in our Midfield ?