IMO the transition between U20's and U21 is the problemEvery one of our age group teams from U16 up (don't follow any younger than that!) are amongst the best in the world right now.
- Our U19s won their Euros this summer
- Our U17s were runners up, losing the final on penalties
- Our U20s won their World Cup
- Our U20s "B" team won the prestigious Toulon Tournament at the same time as our main U20 team was winning the world cup.
- Our U21s were semi finalists in the Euro Championships, losing on penalties to eventual champions Germany.
- Our U17s are hopefully headed for their World Cup Final.
Of the 6 major tournaments we've entered since June, we've won 3, got knocked out on penalties in 2, and are looking good in the 6th. We haven't been knocked out in 90 minutes in any tournament at any age group. It's a remarkable run.
With those in mind, I think it's totally valid to say our current youth teams are, collectively, the best in the world. The first time we can say that in a generation and more.
On top of this, our senior team have Kane, Alli, Rashford, Winks, Stones, Sterling etc, amongst others coming through. Talented youngsters who could be mainstays for a decade, supplemented by the stars coming through the 17-20 age group at the moment.
We need to get the transition to senior football right for these groups. It is the difference between a potential golden era or more failure.
IMO the transition between U20's and U21 is the problem
The U21's may of reached the semi finals but they only beat Poland and Slovakia in the tournament
When we get to U21's we no longer have enough playing time amongst our most talented youngsters to justify their selection or they have missed the experience of playing time and are starting to stagnate
Every one of our age group teams from U16 up (don't follow any younger than that!) are amongst the best in the world right now.
- Our U19s won their Euros this summer
- Our U17s were runners up, losing the final on penalties
- Our U20s won their World Cup
- Our U20s "B" team won the prestigious Toulon Tournament at the same time as our main U20 team was winning the world cup.
- Our U21s were semi finalists in the Euro Championships, losing on penalties to eventual champions Germany.
- Our U17s are hopefully headed for their World Cup Final.
Of the 6 major tournaments we've entered since June, we've won 3, got knocked out on penalties in 2, and are looking good in the 6th. We haven't been knocked out in 90 minutes in any tournament at any age group. It's a remarkable run.
With those in mind, I think it's totally valid to say our current youth teams are, collectively, the best in the world. The first time we can say that in a generation and more.
On top of this, our senior team have Kane, Alli, Rashford, Winks, Stones, Sterling etc, amongst others coming through. Talented youngsters who could be mainstays for a decade, supplemented by the stars coming through the 17-20 age group at the moment.
We need to get the transition to senior football right for these groups. It is the difference between a potential golden era or more failure.
I'm afraid we will not be successful unless we develop coaches that know how to utilise the players' talents on the big stage.Every one of our age group teams from U16 up (don't follow any younger than that!) are amongst the best in the world right now.
- Our U19s won their Euros this summer
- Our U17s were runners up, losing the final on penalties
- Our U20s won their World Cup
- Our U20s "B" team won the prestigious Toulon Tournament at the same time as our main U20 team was winning the world cup.
- Our U21s were semi finalists in the Euro Championships, losing on penalties to eventual champions Germany.
- Our U17s are hopefully headed for their World Cup Final.
Of the 6 major tournaments we've entered since June, we've won 3, got knocked out on penalties in 2, and are looking good in the 6th. We haven't been knocked out in 90 minutes in any tournament at any age group. It's a remarkable run.
With those in mind, I think it's totally valid to say our current youth teams are, collectively, the best in the world. The first time we can say that in a generation and more.
On top of this, our senior team have Kane, Alli, Rashford, Winks, Stones, Sterling etc, amongst others coming through. Talented youngsters who could be mainstays for a decade, supplemented by the stars coming through the 17-20 age group at the moment.
We need to get the transition to senior football right for these groups. It is the difference between a potential golden era or more failure.
Winks was being eased in before injuries to others last season.His progress was only halted by his own injury.Which he admitted was still giving him pain this season.Hence dropping out of U21 squad earlier.As soon as has been fully fit he has featured.Edwards obviously isn’t ready and is still 18.TOB has featured at 17.KWP is being eased in.To Say poch doesn’t give kids a chance is ludicrous.
And Wenger doesn’t play these kids in league cup to bolster them.He does it to save his 1st squad.I remember 10 years ago Wenger being lorded for playing kids in league cup.How many of them actually progressed Ramsey wilshere iwobi Gibbs struggling to think of any others.Anyone can Just chuck kids in a league cup team.Is that really furthering them as players clearly not.Much better to drip them into PL games as poch does over a couple of seasons.
Little bit different for us this round of the League Cup though. There is a different expectation from Arsenal and their fans when they play 2nd tier Norwich compared to the expectations from us and our fans when we play against West Ham. If we were playing lower opposition I would expect to see a similar team sheet to Arsenals, perhaps not in a major London derby though.
In saying that, I hope we still see some of the younger guys and I hope that one of Edwards/Shashoua/Bennetts make the bench at least as well as Georgiou and KWP being in the squad.
I just can’t see anyone in Academy that is crying out pick me apart from Edwards.I think TOB totally disproves not giving people a chance.Poch has Obviously seen something in him and effectively he has leap frogged Edwards.The fact is Edwards was making bench in Cup last season and travelling in CL.So for whatever reason he seems to have gone backwards.As said for me TOB shows if he thinks you’re ready you will get your chance.
Oakley-Boothe's had a really patchy half, I'm still not sure on him. I know others (including Poch!) really like him so I've generally kept my mouth shut, but he has pretty big holes in his game IMO.
Sorry, I'm not debating Edwards' talent, that's clear. My point really is whether talent is the only determining factor as to whether or not he should be involved. And then beyond that, do his performances this season show that he should be given opportunities. I'm asking because I don't know, from the odd report I've read, it sounds like he's scored a lot of penalties, had the odd game where he's been very good, and then a fair few where he's been a bit on the periphery. I desperately want him involved and to come good, I just find it hard to really hold it all together.
Brewster is still shit ahahaha Literally all Been 5 Yard tap ins.
The more I see, the more I think Phil Foden is the player we all think Marcus Edwards is.
Something will have to go dramatically wrong for likes of sancho Hudson odoi Foden Sessegnon chalobah(younger CB) Nelson de silva to not make it.
Stand by that Brewster is nothing special.Was woeful in group games apart from 1 free kick.He’s playing in a quality team.Getting loads of simple tap ins.Ive seen absolutely nothing else in his game in the 6 matches I’ve watched him.Reminds me of people being fooled into thinking iheanacho was decent.He Just tapped in a plethora of open goals.Idiots May mock Kane as a tap in merchant ,But dele actually scores more tap ins than Kane.If Brewster makes it at a top club I’ll streak at the new stadium lol.
Poch has to weigh the impact on senior players - who want to play as much as possible, and academy players who want to develop as quickly as possible, and ownership who want results more than they want development (and, while Levy and Co want player development, they want results even more).
Brewster is of course benefiting from a great attack and has wasted a lot of chances but he is young and developing. Kane looks great for us and terrible for England the players you play with and the manager make a big difference. Akindayini used to bag for us, but that was because of the players he played with, I wasn't fooled. Brewster has a lot more about him.
It goes to show how great Chelsea's academy is that they released Brewster as they had CHO and released Nketiah as they had Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
Iheanacho was also a very good wasted talent.
Kane terrible for England?hes single handily qualified England in the last 4 or 5 games.And jury still out on iheanacho but he does look a potential lemon.
Well I don't think Kane plays particularly well for England, but has taken his chances when he has. Surely you can't objectively think Kane plays as well for England as he does us, and why do you think that is?
KWP has started one game and got MOTM and not been seen again.
Just seen that, that is pretty disappointing tbh.true but at least he'll get a game toni ..
no, wait, never mind.