I thought I'd compile a list of youth players who left the club (I may have missed a couple, let me know) for fees before graduating to the first team as there have been quite a few in recent years. Let's see how they're getting on: Sam Greenwood (22), Forward, Boro on loan from Leeds. Left for Arsenal in summer 2018 for an undisclosed fee (reportedly £500k) at age 16. 37 appearances in the Championship this season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Greenwood_(footballer) Verdict: Should have kept. Joe Hugill (20), Striker, Burton Albion on loan from Man Utd. Left for Man Utd in summer 2020 for an undisclosed fee (reportedly £275k) at age 17. 16 appearances in League One this season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hugill Verdict: Probably wouldn't have made it here. Take the money. Logan Pye (20), Left back, Burnley. Left for Man Utd in summer 2020 for an undisclosed fee (reportedly £500k) at age 17. 0 first team appearances this season. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/logan-pye/profil/spieler/609884 Verdict: Probably wouldn't have made it here. Take the money. Luca Stephenson (20), Midfielder, Barrow on loan from Liverpool. Left for Liverpool in summer 2018 for an undisclosed fee at age 15. 30 appearances in League Two this season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Stephenson Verdict: Probably wouldn't have made it here. Luke Hewitson (19), Goalkeeper, Stalybridge on loan from Liverpool. Left for Liverpool in summer 2019 for an undisclosed fee at age 15. Non league. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-hewitson/profil/spieler/732110 Verdict: Probably wouldn't have made it here. Jay Turner-Cooke (20), Attacking midfielder, St. Johnstone on loan from Newcastle. Left for Newcastle in January 2021 for free at age 17. 6 appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Turner-Cooke Verdict: Almost certainly wouldn't have made it here. Francis Okoronkwo (19), Striker, Everton. Left for Everton in summer 2021 for an undisclosed fee (reportedly up to £1m) at age 17. 0 first team appearances this season. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/francis-okoronkwo/profil/spieler/814684 Verdict: Too early to tell. Josh Robertson (18) Midfielder, Brighton. Left for Brighton this winter for an undisclosed fee at age 18. 0 first team appearances this season. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/josh-robertson/profil/spieler/1141820 Verdict: Too early to tell.
An intriguing thread title, to say these 20 year old lads wouldn't have made it here sounds a bit baffling. Would have preferred to talk about others too, Mumba, who we sold for a pittance. Or Egan who left for nowt and made a wonderful career for himself.
