Depends how you look at it really. Do I think moving to Chelsea is to the detriment of his career? Yes. But how many 16/17 year olds actually make it at top level football where they can earn such figures? Probably not that many. By making this decision he's sorting himself financially even if doesn't make it as a footballer. Theres plenty of players that were highly thought of in their youth that never make it. Difficult to say that he hasn't made the smart decision from that point of view.
I’m torn between genuinely wanting him to be a superstar, and hoping he’ll get bored with earning shedloads but never getting within a million miles of the Chelsea first team. He’ll probably get loaned out to Wrexham or Cove Rangers or somebody and get kicked around a lot.
Do players that young even have agents? I have no idea! Depends on the parents advice too you'd think.
No idea, but it wouldn’t surprise me these days. I do remember Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s father being involved in getting him the move to Arsenal but he was a former professional footballer himself.
This is an interesting comment (from "Trevor") on the Athletic's article about transfers. Yes it could all be made up, and I wouldn't normally share it, but it's interesting given the conversation on here. Jones doesn't feel like a manager interested in Academy players, although given our current predicament it's understandable if that isn't his top priority. "Pretty good Window for Saints IMO. I like the look of the striker and at 6ft 7 he fits NJ profile of bigger and stronger. I do however have massive reservations about Jones as a manager. Tactically and as a draw for new players joining the club. Then we have the pathway blocked for the young lads coming through. None of them with the exception of Finnergan meeting NJ profile of Big and strong. Thats one of the reasons Jimmy Jay left for Chelsea, he will be paid £12k a week. 3 x what they offered Dibling. Why did Jimmy leave? I can tell you. He knew he had new future under Jones, Jimmy was not even close to be ready for the 1st team, neither is Ballard, Payne or Doyle. Payne has been told he isn't big enough by Jones although he plays like he is 6ft 5 he is only 5ft 10. He has gone out on loan to Eastleigh to get men's football but struggled to get a league 1 or 2 team not because he isn't good enough but because he plays for Southampton. JJ will not have any issues going out on loan to other clubs higher up the food chain because he now plays for Chelsea. Ballard is now doing the same thing JJ has done and is refusing to sign a contract, hence his inclusion in the FA Cup squad. Not happy with the amount of attention JJ was getting over Dom his team are now also playing hard ball. Ballard is also not even close to being ready for the 1st team but is holding the club to ransom. Now this window has just pushed Payne, Ballard and Doyle even further down the pecking order I don't agree with what JJ has done because I personally believe loyalty from a lad who has been developed in the academy shouldn't jump ship but try until it's no longer possible to get in the 1st team. But I can understand it because with NJ at the helm, SR buying top 6 prospects chances limited. RH needed to go but he was in tune with the club and offered a pathway. NJ isn't well liked and wants nothing to do developing the academy players. Would you stay?"
Tallies with what I've heard. Jones has no interest in the academy. Makes you wonder why we appointed him.
Well that is hard reading if true, a old school manager in a modern football world is not what is required! Sadly the data doesn't pick that up.
Koeman actually gave some young players time, even if it clearly wasn't his focus. If Jones actually told them such things, that alone is an offense worthy of firing him. Plus the whole 'being terrible at management' thing. I'd happily sack him in favour of just letting Selles take over, frankly.
“If that’s true” being the key words here. With “£12,000 a week” being the key words in the Athletic article. So I’m going with “no case made”.
£12k a week would likely make him about the 30th most highest-paid player at the club. And yeah, if I were being asked to be a professional and sit in the reserves indefinitely because the manager has no interest in my career, I'd probably ask for the moon to stay as well. At least the money is a useful hedge if Jones somehow stuck around long enough to make his comments meaningful.
It's also worth remembering that Rasmus Ankersen was Director of Football at Brentford when they closed their Academy. Now there were very specific problems Brentford faced that contributed to that decision - finance, being a unglamorous lower league club based within a few miles of Chelsea, Fulham and QPR - so I'm not suggesting they plan to close our Academy , but perhaps the new ownership aren't as interested in the Academy pathway? They seem to like the model of buying 17-21 year olds and it seems to me that will inevitably make it harder for our homegrown players to get on the pitch.
Should be the opposite. The problem Brentford faces was the EPPP, which makes it relatively cheap for players who haven't signed a first professional contract (like Morgan) to jump ship, especially if you aren't category one. But as a PL side, with the infrastructure in place, all of the benefits flow to you, rather than away from you. We're Cat One, so it costs more to poach our youngsters, while we have comparative advantages poaching from the rest of the English football world.