A term often used. But as the likes of Owrn. Ronney and co have proved, this is just a myth. AC Milan the latest club shattering this theory. Gianluggi Donnarumma. 16 years old. A goalkeeper standing at 6'5" already. The youngest to play in seria a. Starts again today against Juve. Sometimes you have to give youth a chance. SA please take note.
I'm not a football expert and I've never been a footballer (played rugby league when I was a schoolboy); I just like to watch a good, entertaining match. I watched the England v Germany under 17 match last night and it was a joy to watch. The England lads played with power, pace and skill going forward and defended as a team when out of possession. There was no diving and no rolling about on the floor feigning injury. Any one of those 16 year olds would walk into most championship sides and some into premier league sides
Everyone develops differently in terms of physicality and footballing ability. Our problem hasn't been not playing promising youngsters, we just haven't created them up to this point.
Yet the youth teams and u21 seem to do ok. Some of the glowing reports on here says law of averages one or two should be good enough. Maybe its the money at stake that gives them the lack of opportunity and always have to go with the so called seasoned pros. Its a gamble.
He's give Watmore his first start mate and promoted him above Jeremain Lens, I would honestly like us to recall Pickford in January and get him genuinely competing with Pants for the first team spot.
True. But how many previous managers have overlooked him? It is a gamble, most wont pay off, but sometimes the do. 16 years old and in ac milans first team. Thats some going.
Everton have brought quite a few youngsters through, Rooney, Barkley, Rodwell. Southampton have brought lots through at 16/17, West Ham started a 16 year old every game until he got injured this season. I think it's a lack of quality more than our managers not taking a gamble, in all honesty.
Its a gamble. Ryan Noble the next big thing (wheres cest these days) flopped big time. How old was Henderson when given the chance?
Too young, too old - rubbish. Look up Ronnie Simpson on wiki. He was the youngest player ever in the Scottish League (14) and the oldest ever to make his Scotland international debut (37). In between times, he won a European Cup, two FA Cups, Scottish League, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup. He was also an Edinburgh Conservative Councillor! Age didn't seem to bother him much!
Another gk. Won the FA cup with the mags. European cup with Celtic the Lisbon lions. ****ing good career he had. Never heard of him beforehand, interesting read.
Spot on - it's all about money - plus instant success - youngsters need to make an instant success in 1st team or to be protected by a number of experienced successful 1st team players - not yet there for 2nd option up to you BSA to take us forward -we need to have faith -he's the real deal - imo
