U21's.Cov v Fleetwood. (1 Viewer)

[SkyblueDad]

They get them that early now, at 5-6 as part of the the pre academy they have plenty of coaching opportunities to improve technical and tactical ability. Lad who played for my team got picked up by Blues at the end of the U12s, not particularly the best technically, but absolutely rapid and strong, the reason is you can teach kids technical and tactical ability, but you can't teach pace and power.

Coincidentally, JCH never went to an academy, he got picked up at 15/16 at an open trial, also Jodi Jones never went through a formal academy. They are having better careers than 99.9% of players that have been through academies from aged 6 to 18.

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The failure rate is about the 99% you quoted and from that 1% who become scholars I’d guess 90% don’t get pro contracts.
It’s a brutal business but in fairness most the time those selecting get it right and those who do get pro-contracts it’s a tough ask to make the big time.

 

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[Nick]

They are all 17 ffs! I bet you were still delivering yellow shite at their age.

They literally say their ages in their latest video.

Stretton is nearly 19
Obikwu is 19

You don’t know what you are on about

Funny that.

 

[napolimp]

And so far they’d be right.

What are you talking about? He did make it as a top level pro. If they had kept him for another season or so they could have sold him for a good fee.

 

[shmmeee]

What are you talking about? He did make it as a top level pro. If they had kept him for another season or so they could have sold him for a good fee.

I assumed you meant make it as a PL player who could compete at Villa

 

[SkyblueDad]

They literally say their ages in their latest video.

Stretton is nearly 19
Obikwu is


Funny that.

In fairness to Stretton nearly 19 as you say makes him 18, he spent most of last season with his leg in a brace so for him there’s a bit of catching up to do.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

In fairness to Stretton nearly 19 as you say makes him 18, he spent most of last season with his leg in a brace so for him there’s a bit of catching up to do.

Did he? I seem to remember him being in the U21 squad regularly.

Just checked. 17 appearances.