Summer window

he did GCSEs last year. He’s essentially starting the 6th form level of education, hence the two year scholarship. No idea what that means from an actual learning and training perspective but if I was going to guess I’d say it means he will train with the first team more often at least.

It sounds silly and obvious but the photos of him in training yesterday, he already looks more filled out than he did when he played back in January.

 

Did he do his GCSEs a year early? If not, having just turned 16 he will have just completed them this school year

 

could have been the youngest in his year. When I was at school you were given the option if your birthday was between two dates. Either be the youngest in this year, or the oldest in the next.

 

Yip, if that's the case will be getting his results in August.

 

I meant this school year just finishing, sorry in my head the school year had finished (which I know it hadn’t as my wife is a teacher). I meant he’s going into “6th form” level in September for this season

 

He’s just finished them and is awaiting results. I know a couple of his teachers.

 

He's basically a year behind Jobe, who was in and around Birmingham's first team last season.

 

My son is 16 in Sept and he's doing his GCSEs next year. I assume Rigg has just taken his as he'd probably be one of the youngest in the year.

 

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So is he actually going into 6th form or is the scholarship counting as his required education until 18?

 

I think that might be about how it works actually. Education is mandatory until 17 now, and trade apprenticeships and so on count. So I imagine being at a club would be similar.

 

Morata?

 

This genuinely has to be teams just getting the Saudis to cook their books, how the f**k have they got £25m for Jota?

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12914378/jota-al-ittihad-sign-portuguese-winger-from-celtic-in-25m-deal

 

It probably includes 25% ownership of Celtic

 

no idea mate - I’d be really interested to know how that works

 

EFL has a partner to deliver the educational element of their scholarship. Football league education I think it is called. They come out with a level 3 BTEC, some can do higher quals as well. They also do their initial coaching badges. Less than 50% of scholars get pro contracts so they ensure they have a recognised qualification for life after footy.

 

thanks that’s interesting. So does that educational partner deliver that at the academy, allowing them to train and learn in the same location?

 

I am not 100% on this, I dont get involved in this with players. I think though a lot is done online these days. They have assessments and topics to cover, and there are reviews of progress. I would imagine most of it will therefore be in the academy and a lot is structured around them following their clubs training programme through a season. I would imagine the UEFA coaching course is at the academy as well, arranged around training. If they do higher level quals then some of that will be away at a local college. Provision is made for those wanting to do A levels alongside this I think.

Edit just to add I think clubs are given content to go through with their apprentices. Things like nutrition for example.

I will ask exactly how this works and put some details up. Like I say I might be off the mark a bit.

 

Wonder how many more they looking to bring in?
Anothet c.forward surely?
Reckon we could have 3 or 4 ins and outs very late in this window - could be miles off as well.

 

I'd say 4.

A striker, left winger, defensive midfielder and a goalkeeper backup.