Isn’t it the same idea? I don’t see a difference
For every 15 they buy or make a gamble on only 1 or 2 at a push will make the club any money
While I'm not 100% on how many slip away I'd hazard a guess at it's a similar ratio to academy products that don't make a name for themselves. Ricky Miller was the latest non league name that didn't pay off, but it's a successful model all the same that they have enjoyed promotions off.
A snippet from this article tho on there model....
Prudent Peterborough profiting from their Posh talent agency
Mackail-Smith cost £125,000 and was sold to Brighton for £2.5m. Washington arrived for £150,000 and went to QPR for £2.7m. Assombalonga was a lavish purchase by their standards, costing £1.25m, but was sold 11 months later to Nottingham Forest for an initial £5.5m. Gayle is the one that gives Fry the most satisfaction, signed for £470,000 from Dagenham & Redbridge, then sold for what would eventually be £7.5m to Crystal Palace, 13 goals and seven months later.