U18/U21 Development Thread (3 Viewers)

larry_david

Well-Known Member
Obiwku and Burroughs not in squad so assume they're off somewhere.
Howley, linked with Swindon, got the assist.
Yearn on the bench who's impressed and scored two the last game. See what happens second half.
 

larry_david

Well-Known Member
He was too good for U21 football when we signed him 3 years ago. Had already made 26 L1 appearances by that point.
Needs a short term loan to Jan 1st in my expert opinion and we can see how he deals week in, week out in men's footy.

U21 isn't great standard, half our league winning team from 2 years ago now play at lower than National league North/South
 

fatso

Well-Known Member
He was too good for U21 football when we signed him 3 years ago. Had already made 26 L1 appearances by that point.
And he's nearer 24 now than 23 so you would expect him to shine at U21 level, and he's played in a F.A. cup semi final against Man utd, so has way too much experience for that level.

The signing of Bassette really should tell him it's time to move on to further his career.
(If it wasn't already blindingly obvious)
 

larry_david

Well-Known Member
I hate how crap the clubs coverage of the U18s is. 10 years ago we used to get full highlight videos on YouTube, now there’s nothing.
Yeah it is pathetic. They've even set up an academy twitter account and just post the final score of every game. As you say it's actually gone backwards
 

BUSA

Well-Known Member
Chelsea are set to make a move for Coventry City midfielder Jack James.

The 17-year-old is a highly-rated prospect and Chelsea scouts have been keeping a close eye on his progress.

Brentford and Crystal Palace approached James last year before he decided to continue on at boyhood club Coventry.

But Chelsea’s interest presents a huge opportunity for the teenager and Blues chiefs have indicated their willingness to do a deal over the coming days.
 

shmmeee

Well-Known Member
Chelsea are set to make a move for Coventry City midfielder Jack James.

The 17-year-old is a highly-rated prospect and Chelsea scouts have been keeping a close eye on his progress.

Brentford and Crystal Palace approached James last year before he decided to continue on at boyhood club Coventry.

But Chelsea’s interest presents a huge opportunity for the teenager and Blues chiefs have indicated their willingness to do a deal over the coming days.

17 he should be a pro right?
 

shepardo01

Well-Known Member
Chelsea are set to make a move for Coventry City midfielder Jack James.

The 17-year-old is a highly-rated prospect and Chelsea scouts have been keeping a close eye on his progress.

Brentford and Crystal Palace approached James last year before he decided to continue on at boyhood club Coventry.

But Chelsea’s interest presents a huge opportunity for the teenager and Blues chiefs have indicated their willingness to do a deal over the coming days.
Worked with this kid.
I know a few clubs including Arsenal who aren't mentioned above have been looking - has been on the fringes of the England set up too.
Haven't seen him for a year or so, but was quite small - very Maddison- esque in stature/style too.
Good lad and good family behind him too.
Very interesting this as as stated he chose to develop under staff he knew and trusted.
 

Frankly_Mr_Shankly

Well-Known Member
Worked with this kid.
I know a few clubs including Arsenal who aren't mentioned above have been looking - has been on the fringes of the England set up too.
Haven't seen him for a year or so, but was quite small - very Maddison- esque in stature/style too.
Good lad and good family behind him too.
Very interesting this as as stated he chose to develop under staff he knew and trusted.
He’s had a significant growth spurt over the past 12 months, with another one due.
 

Potbellypig

Well-Known Member
He played in the Leamington pre season game and I commented to say you can tell he's got great technique, vision and awareness. But there was a distinct lack of physical ability there too. Not the be all and end all of course, but he has to be exceptional to succeed at the top level without it.
 

Frankly_Mr_Shankly

Well-Known Member
He played in the Leamington pre season game and I commented to say you can tell he's got great technique, vision and awareness. But there was a distinct lack of physical ability there too. Not the be all and end all of course, but he has to be exceptional to succeed at the top level without it.
He will get bigger and stronger, just like Jamie Allen and Messi 👍
 

shepardo01

Well-Known Member
He’s had a significant growth spurt over the past 12 months, with another one due.
Good to hear.
I was lucky enough to work with James Maddison through the same stages as Jack.
Very similar as I said in size/growth too by the sounds of it and playing style.
I am aware of the dilemmas that Jack's family have had in terms of where they saw him developing and what might be best for him.
Sometimes things come around that are just too good to turn down!
I wish him all the very best.... As I'm sure do all on here too. Again, as I said, he was a very well grounded and generally all round good lad.
Ether way, staying at City or making a move to Chelsea, I'm sure you are all very proud of him.
 

ptr

Well-Known Member
Our u21s don’t win a lot do they? Seem to pick up a win when there’s a few first teamers in but apart from that not much at all. Unless I have missed it, I am not sure who is in charge after all the recent promotions to the first team.
 

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
Our u21s don’t win a lot do they? Seem to pick up a win when there’s a few first teamers in but apart from that not much at all. Unless I have missed it, I am not sure who is in charge after all the recent promotions to the first team.
Yeah. When the likes of Tavares and bassette play, they score for fun. When they don't they lose badly.

Which tells us that they're not anywhere near ready for the first team.
 

Potbellypig

Well-Known Member
I feel like there's usually a bit of a buzz around a lad coming through the academy, but I'm not getting that feeling at the min. Suppose it doesn't help when the big PL team are snapping up 15 year olds, but still.
 
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Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
I feel like there's usually a bit of a buzz around a lad coming through the academy, but I'm not getting that feeling at the min. Suppose it doesn't help when the big PL team are snapping up 15 year olds, but still.
It goes to show we need to invest in the infrastructure required to upgrade the academy to Cat 1 (or A whichever it is). Having promising talent snapped up for peanuts is a bit depressing.
 

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