Young players at the top level

[Cronky]

I've not come across an article on this, but it seems to me that we now have more and more teenagers breaking into the first teams of major clubs. Last night, there was a 16 year old starting for Chelsea. 17 year old Yamal already looks like one of the best players in the world. Nwaneri at Arsenal looks completely at home in that level of football. There are so many other examples of this.

I can only think that the training of young players, (which now seems to start at a much earlier age than before), is now able to develop raw talent more quickly and thoroughly.

 

It may be just my impression, but a lot of these players seem to be of African heritage.

[SteV]

You also can’t just kick fuck out of people the way you used to be able to.

[joeyt]

I'm not sure it's as common as it used to be to be honest.  Teams are more likely to buy players than nurture talents these days I think

 

We had a period of the likes of Walcott, Rooney, Fabregas, Owen, Milner all breaking through ridiculously early

 

I read something a little while ago (I think it was by the journalist Jonathan Wilson) that states that players often only have a certain amount of games in their legs (say 400 games). It means players who start early are often burnt out by the time they reach their late 20s

[Solitude20]

And this Estevao who is joining Chelsea next season looks really talented as well. 

[The College Dropout]

Why is thos its own thread? Delete and merge with another IMO.

 

As to the point - teams are getting younger but not to a teenage level typically. Inter are in the final with the oldest team since 2017.

 

A lot of the modern game requires elite athleticism which leans towards a younger profile. I really like the mix of youth and experience our team has. I wouldn't want to become a Spurs that lacks leadership and authority. Happy to continue our transfer approach and wouldn't mind the odd older signing.

[The Prophet]

It also feels like players are burning out a lot sooner. I wonder if we'll see a general trend of players peaking younger.

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, joeyt said:

I'm not sure it's as common as it used to be to be honest.  Teams are more likely to buy players than nurture talents these days I think

 

We had a period of the likes of Walcott, Rooney, Fabregas, Owen, Milner all breaking through ridiculously early

 

I read something a little while ago (I think it was by the journalist Jonathan Wilson) that states that players often only have a certain amount of games in their legs (say 400 games). It means players who start early are often burnt out by the time they reach their late 20s

I don't buy this at all. There's loads of variables in the number of matches elite players can play. And the average is much closer to 700, and the best of the best are consistently closer to 900 (think Modric, Kroos, Iniesta, Xavi).

 

I do think explosive players tend to peak earlier in their careers and tend to be more injury-prone due to the stress explosiveness has on muscles and joints. Precocious talents also tend to have more personalities that don't prioritise lifestyle and training. But most of them still end up around 700 top-level games like Neymar and Hazard. When the lifestyle is well-aligned they can do more like the Messi, Ronaldo's, even to Lukaku 

[toon25]

Getting players first team experience - either on loan or in meaningless games like Chelsea's last night is surely also integral to FFP.

 

Get them blooded then get them sold.

 

I'd say the top young talents who get themselves from youth team to first team at the same club is same as it's always been 

[Sibierski]

1 hour ago, joeyt said:

 

 

I read something a little while ago (I think it was by the journalist Jonathan Wilson) that states that players often only have a certain amount of games in their legs (say 400 games). It means players who start early are often burnt out by the time they reach their late 20s

Absolutely.

 

Why whoever signs Bellingham when he’s like 28 will be in for a massive shock. 

[Cronky]

6 hours ago, SteV said:

You also can’t just kick fuck out of people the way you used to be able to.

 

  I've had a check, and there are some stats to back that up. From 1888 to 1998, only one 18 year old played for England - Duncan Edwards, in 1955, and he was built like a public convenience. 

 

Since Michael Owen broke Edwards' modern record in 1998, we've had four 17 year olds in Walcott, Rooney, Bellingham and Sterling, as well as many other teenagers. As the game has become less physical over the years, so younger players have been able to break through earlier.

 

But in this season in particular, I've become very conscious of how well some of these very young players are faring. The expression on their faces (eg Nwaneri) indicate that they're not overawed.

 

On the dangers, yes I think we've seen Wilshere and (to some extent) Rooney having their careers spoiled by over-use. In those examples I think they were rushed back early after injury. If managers can resist that temptation, then players ought to be able to have long careers.