Will's list with ages: GK, Ellis Craven 19 (20 in October) RB, Emanuel Adeboyega 20 (21 in Sept.) CB, Charlie Wilson 19 CB, Waylon Renecke 18 (Left footed) LB, Gabe Forsyth 18 (15 goal contributions) CM, Miles Bracking 17 CM, Pedro Lima 21 (9 gc.) LAM, Elliot Myles 17 RAM, La'Sean Sealley ? (21gc.) ST, Ken Aboh 19 (15 goals) ST, Errol Mundle-Smith 18 (16 goals) The list doesn't include Finley Welch 20 (LW), Guilherme Montóia 21 (LB), Jaden Warner 21 (CB), Brad Hills 20 (CB) who have all been called up to the 1st team, as has Aboh of course.
And don't forget that other 21 year old we have on our books, Liam Gibbs. Having made 34 appearances in 2022-23, 18 of them starts, he was consigned to the bench by DW last season (only 4 starts). Maybe he at least garnered a morsel of satisfaction from finding himself preferred to Sydney Van Hooijdonk as Sargent's 61st minute replacement at Hillsborough -- before pulling up injured and missing the rest of the season. It will be interesting to see what if anything he can offer our new-look side under Thorup.
I’m personally very doubtful on Gibbs ability and would prefer to see him loaned out. I don’t think he’s good enough in the ball technically, he’s just a willing runner
Like Sørensen, Gibbs has never been handed the opportunity to play for an extended period in his strongest position. He's been used as a bit part, utility player, drafted in to occupy whatever position happens to be "vacant", everywhere from wide left, wide right, right back, second striker, main striker, DM, AM, CM, you name it. he's played it (I seem to recall him even filling in at CB on one occasion). He was rewarded last summer with a contract extension to 2028, which suggests previous coaches have seen a lot of potential there. If the same fate awaits him under Thorup this coming season, I too think a loan would benefit him, somewhere where he starts and plays at 8.
Is it time to update this thread's title for the 2024/25 season? Meanwhile the USA coach has worrying concerns about Sargent's fitness: "We’ve been training with Josh both in the gym and on the field, but he’s not going to be fit to play in the Colombia game. We’ll have to see if he makes it for the Brazil game, and then we’ll have to make a decision if he makes it in the Copa America roster. He’s had a nagging foot injury. We’ve been unloading him, then giving him some more and then we’ve been testing him, just to see where he’s at. And for us, it’s about how do we get him ready and prepared in a good way, and then make a decision if he’ll be available.”
I think in the interest of keeping the 23/24 content findable for future discussion/reference, we need a new 24/25 thread, as we have for transfers. Not worried who makes that.
