Summer window

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Needs to be an end to poaching young players. It's not right. We'll be ok, but the smaller clubs don't have a chance. You look at the England youth squads and they're all at a big club then loaned straight out.

 

We have to do all we can to keep this kid...dont know how long Patterson will stay...but if this kid is this highly rated he could be hos replacement & the perfect example of the 'plan'

 

I think we have a few good prospects coming through like Richardson and Young

 

I think we will by fine when most clubs come after our kids now, as there is a clear path to the 1st team. 14 going to man city as a keeper, what are the chances of actually getting into that team. When did City last play a keeper they didn't buy? (I have no idea and I'm just guessing not for ages )

 

He is still in the youth development phase. I have said for a while until you get to the pro development phases there should be no transfer activity allowed. It would protect all sorts of aspects of a players development, on and off the pitch. Even if a cat1 academy is buying from a cat2 academy. One of the problems though is cat2 clubs might need the money, which contributes to the biased system we have.

In our case our academy staff are first class by all accounts. Parents will know the downsides of any move now. Man City arent daft either, they can still be in a good place when he moves from dev phase to move if they want to.

Canny position for the young lad. Already at one of the best academies in the country. Probably the best fancies you.

 

Youth players is a tough one. I’m inclined to say no money should change hands until they’re working age and there should be no move for them but it feels sometimes they are like child slaves. Can’t have a kick about with mates, can’t play other sports, can’t have a weekend away for their grand 60th etc. You have to commit a lot even though they’re lucky to be playing football. If for example they want to move closer to home it should be allowed. This situation with City doesn’t sit right. City have 13 clubs. Set up for world domination through riches. That’s much different from ‘I want to live nearer my mam’

 

Thats even better as Bell is only 14 so for a keeper even being outstanding you would expect him to be a minimum of 6/7 years away from a first team keeper on the PL....im obviously banking that we will be in the PL then

 

Playing devil's advocate, this may lead to a couple of favourable deals coming in the opposite direction, loans etc.

 

I'd take Haaland and De Bruyne on loan.

 

I have experience in academies. My opinion is that through the dev phases a squad of say 15 or 16 will include 2 or 3 lads that are stand out at their age. The rest arent, and arguably are making up the numbers so the 2 or 3 have a framework in which to work with coaches. Of course some lads develop later and as a coach you invest in them and that hope. I have seen lads come back after a summer and they have grown a couple of inches and their brain doesnt know where their feet are anymore. It takes a bit to get used to their new frame. For some that triggers improvement. Mostly though, the 2 or 3 at 14 or 15 tend to be the ones that go on. Of course if the 2 or 3 move on at 14 you really minimise the ability for another to progress at a pace and make it out of the pack, because they havent got that better player to match up against. Bit of a vicious circle at times. It is why I am against players moving until they are older, alongside the more pastoral side of things. The whole academy system really needs better governance. The coaching standards are brilliant in this country and the levels they reach with kids are outstanding. In terms of moving kids between academies it leaves a bit to be desired though.

 

Would Haaland be happy playing as a backup to Ross though?

 

I guess it’s the pastoral side I’m worried about as much as anything. Won’t name the clubs but have had mates kids at two elite clubs and one around our level in the North West and Yorkshire. One has had a great time but is younger. Others feel like the overly competitive ruthless nature hasn’t been a positive experience.

 

Great post this.

 

Depends. Stewart might not be fully fit, it would be Haaland's spot to lose.

Also, Pritch can only usually last 65 mins, KDB would be a reasonable option from the bench.

 

Any other season last season they would've been the talk of the town for how well they done. But because of the Newcastle and Brighton ****athon, they just quietly got on with it and went under the radar.

 

Done them a favour.

Squad was always quality anyway just Gerrard got found out, got a top, top gaffer in Emery and flew.

Having him is the only reason they can even think about getting Pau Torres, be the coup of the summer if they get him, lad is absolutely superb.

 

Any update on our targets??? It’s all gone a bit quiet! Saw on twitter this morning that Genk have made an offer for that young Chilean lad and that Fabrizo Romano fella posted a tweet about Semedo but it wasn’t in English so didn’t have a clue! hopefully some movement this week

 

still super early. People on holidays.

the rumours I have seen at latest status based again on rumours and no ITK intel:

• Jobe is agreed but potentially haggling over fee but expected to go through - or is already agreed and announcement soon (perhaps when window opens on Wednesday)
• Semedo - echo thinks it’s agreed subject to work permit. BUT so is Triantis and we announced him… so…