16 year old for Lyon who scored 2 goals and assisted 2 in their 4-3 cup win against Nantes (who are currently 4th in the French league). He's considered to be Lyon's best ever prospect at his age which is impressive given their list of youth products include Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sidney Govou, Ludovic Giuly, Alexander Lacazette, Anthony Martial, Steed Malbranque, Loic Remy, Samuel Umtiti, Freddie Kanoute, Nabil Fekir and current star Hoessem Aouar. Surely Lyon has to be one of the best academies in the world? Which clubs would match them for consistency like that? Ajax, Bayern, Barca and maybe Sporting Lisbon? This lad right here is the exact reason why it's worth investing in the academy and having a strategy of developing a core of a team ourselves. It's the only way a club like ours could ever see a superstar in a red and white shirt again.
I realise the players aren't all from their academy but over the years Southampton have developed and sold some fantastic players Mane Alderwood Shearer Shaw Van dyck To name but a few Yes some above have or went off the boil but at time of sale were all highly coveted
He looks about 30 Enjoyed the first finish, didn't panic at all did he? Slotting it behind the defender was lovely.
More to do with good scouting most those ones though, but along with Shaw and Shearer you could also mention Walcott, Bale, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Ward-Prowse and Callum Chambers to the list.
I did say to mention but a few. A club with a good DoF would have good scouting and a good academy in my opinion which over the years soton have. Must be galling for the fans to see all those players leave but that is how the game is. I have heard plenty of our fans cite a lack of ambition when we sell the likes of pickford or when kone was wanted by everton. Once a player's head is turned that's it
At 16, he already looks and plays like a man. A lot of our players seem to look like kids until they're 20. There's some similarity in style to Eden Hazard in my opinion. He'll be exciting to watch.
He's no Jude Bellingham. Nah he probably is. Looks tidy. A friend of mine works for Chelsea in youth and reserve scouting and rated Bellingham as the best young player in the world before he had played for the Brum first team, he's basically employed full time to know who will be the next big thing. I'll ask him his opinion on this chap tomorrow. Chances are if he hasn't watched him a few times he knows someone who has. Btw, his Djilobodji take was 'fast, powerful, but mentally unable to play in the Premier League' £8m was Bain and Moyes's canny starting bid for a player they rated as unable to play for them, with no other bidders in sight.
He certainly has all the hallmarks but let's wait and see. There are so many that crash and burn ( eg that barca kid who went to stoke, African kid who got usa citizenship ). We can but hope, but it's always good to see a rare talent showing off his skills. Also will be nice to see the le Pen family choking on their own racist bile
Bellingham looks hugely talented and he's English which makes it all the more exciting. It would be a shame if he goes to Man Utd at his age but they're throwing around huge numbers already and I can't imagine Birmingham are in a position to say no.