It’s definitely harder to get these kids first team chances when every game matters so much. As I see it there’s 2 things we could do, 1 is in our hands and the other isn’t. Firstly we could be better at loaning our players out. Secondly we could be lobbying the premier league to allow larger subsistute benches. If there were 11 subs for example we could easily put a few on the bench. (I’m sure this is planned somewhere, not sure it’s the premier league though, might be the champions league).
If you look at the amount of game time Llorente has had, often overlooked with Son coming in as the preferred option, it’s not hard to see why young strikers would want to leave. First team opportunities are very low and often non-existent.
Even in games we have dominated or cup games against low league opposition at home, youth players barely get any minutes.
The problem seems to be we want two first team standard players for each position, and therefore to keep them all match fit and happy, squad players get games where youth players should be given opportunities.
I’m not a coach, but you’d think are talented youth players like KWP, Onomah etc. should be getting more than 5 mins or less at the end of a handful of games. Personally I think we should be braver to include these players in our rotation of squad players. It’s surely they only way they will develop. Can we say KWP has really developed much this season?
Without these opportunities it won’t be a surprise to see talented youth players look elsewhere.
You could see how it would be easy to think that Griffiths numbers were mainly due to his physical dominance. Possibly the way Chelsea thought about Lukaku. But he can only beat what’s put in front of him and he’s certainly done that. I’d honestly be amazed if Levy let him go. It goes against everything he has has built the squad on. Finding a gem and hoping he turns out to be a worldy. No idea if it’s about pathway or money. If it’s pathway then he will be 22 when Kane is 30 which is almost perfect as a successor. If it’s money can it really be that much. Maybe he wants 30k and we’ve offered 15k. Whatever the numbers there can’t be a huge difference. Must surely be worth taking the gamble on him. De Bruyne Salah Lukaku have shown when you have a promising young player at your club you need to be 1000% sure before letting him go.
You could see how it would be easy to think that Griffiths numbers were mainly due to his physical dominance. Possibly the way Chelsea thought about Lukaku. But he can only beat what’s put in front of him and he’s certainly done that. I’d honestly be amazed if Levy let him go. It goes against everything he has has built the squad on. Finding a gem and hoping he turns out to be a worldy. No idea if it’s about pathway or money. If it’s pathway then he will be 22 when Kane is 30 which is almost perfect as a successor. If it’s money can it really be that much. Maybe he wants 30k and we’ve offered 15k. Whatever the numbers there can’t be a huge difference. Must surely be worth taking the gamble on him. De Bruyne Salah Lukaku have shown when you have a promising young player at your club you need to be 1000% sure before letting him go.
Add Palace, scoucers, Spammers, and Brighton to that list.
If it’s pathway it will be no easier at any other top 6 club. If it was me I’d give it till 19. Chances at top 6 clubs don’t grow on trees. He’s seen what’s happened to young English players that have broken through here. You never know what may happen, injury crisis etc. Surely has to be worth giving it 2 more years. Nobody has a right at 17 to expect 1st team football.
might be simply £££££££ rather than pathway
I think since Scott Parker has taken over the u18 it’s becoming more about winning then development , not moaning about it just saying . As normally at this stage of the season we bring in a lot more of the year below in to play the final games eg new scholars . But Parker seems to be fielding his strongest side all the time , just to get results . We probably had your strongest side out v arsenal , knowing that they would have had a much weaker side out , due to FA youth cup . So would have been a good chance to play a few youngsters , but looks like development went out the window as wanted to pay them back for smashing us earlier in the seasonOnly 2 schoolboys. When we played them earlier in the season we played 2 schoolboys too. I reckon it was a similar strength team. Okoflex and McEneff are both talented players, I don't know much about the rest, but we had Walcott and Statham at CB last time making a few errors. So not really an excuse to lose by THAT
Agree. Still don't know where I stand with him, which is interesting considering his goals. Seen him play more than enough, and even still I have seen him develop quite a bit in his awareness and finishing, but as you say still something missing. Only his 2nd/3rd year as a striker so still a lot of learning/developing and these numbers which are better than any u18 striker I can remember for a while, show he has a lot to build on.
As Waxman said he is nothing like Kane. You could tell from watching Kane, and I don't remember how many goals he scored, that Kane looked a better striker or footballer, and it is n't the same at all watching them. I could give an opinion on Kane at the time, but I am still unsure what I think about Griffiths and he's finished his 2nd year.
He played a couple of games a striker at u16 level I think in a tournament at SGP, when they faced US. I believe it's the tournament Hinds pulled out of. I actually don't remember him going to the Euros, but that could be because he never got on. He definitely deserves another call-up especially as Brewster is still injured. Not sure were Soule and Samuels are at with their development but you can't argue with Griffiths goals, though Loader is probably next in line. As I said in a previous post him, Hinds and BLF deserve call-ups, even Richards if the 00s attack wasn't so strong, but it appears there are no more u18s games this year.
Also found out from Lilywhiterose that Thorpe was being looked at by Sporting Lisbon before we signed him
If it’s pathway it will be no easier at any other top 6 club. If it was me I’d give it till 19. Chances at top 6 clubs don’t grow on trees. He’s seen what’s happened to young English players that have broken through here. You never know what may happen, injury crisis etc. Surely has to be worth giving it 2 more years. Nobody has a right at 17 to expect 1st team football.
I think since Scott Parker has taken over the u18 it’s becoming more about winning then development , not moaning about it just saying . As normally at this stage of the season we bring in a lot more of the year below in to play the final games eg new scholars . But Parker seems to be fielding his strongest side all the time , just to get results . We probably had your strongest side out v arsenal , knowing that they would have had a much weaker side out , due to FA youth cup . So would have been a good chance to play a few youngsters , but looks like development went out the window as wanted to pay them back for smashing us earlier in the season
It's very strange and yet understandable that he hasn't appear much for England, and I'd still argue that as a player Harrison was probably a better striker/player.
I think since Scott Parker has taken over the u18 it’s becoming more about winning then development , not moaning about it just saying . As normally at this stage of the season we bring in a lot more of the year below in to play the final games eg new scholars . But Parker seems to be fielding his strongest side all the time , just to get results . We probably had your strongest side out v arsenal , knowing that they would have had a much weaker side out , due to FA youth cup . So would have been a good chance to play a few youngsters , but looks like development went out the window as wanted to pay them back for smashing us earlier in the season
Maitland-Niles, Nketiah, Willock, Nelson have all had involvement for Arsenal this season.
Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Solanke at Liverpool.
Foden, Diaz at City.
Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu, Musonda, Boga at Chelsea
Maitland-Niles, Nketiah, Willock, Nelson have all had involvement for Arsenal this season.
Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Solanke at Liverpool.
Foden, Diaz at City.
Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu, Musonda, Boga at Chelsea