Youth Players Not Kicking On.

[deary]

Mentioned this in Dave Picks thread. Most academy players do not make it at their Big parent clubs.
Some have a career in the lower leagues, many drop out of the game.

Got me thinking about JET who we had on his 1st ever loan from Arsenal .
He was absolutely ripping things up at youth level when he came here. I checked at the time Arsenal fans thought he was the best young player they had and he would make the step up as he was far too good for youth level.

Really had high hopes for him felt he had all the attributes needed. Big strong lad with talent & lauded by Wenger.


Just copied this from an Arsenal page,

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had a bit of everything a manager wants. He had raw power, plenty of pace and lovely close control, as well as a burly 6’3″ physique. He captained the u18 side at the age of 16 and, after a few pre-season appearances, began scoring regularly for the reserves, including a hat trick against West Ham United.


After making his debut in 2010 in an FA Cup defeat against Stoke, he spent time on loan with Doncaster and Blackpool, before returning to the Emirates. He bagged nine goals in 10 for the reserves and got a first-team chance, prompting Wenger to proclaim; “When his fitness is right, Jay will be not only a good player but a great player”. He had the world at his feet.

So, where is Emmanuel-Thomas now? What happened to the phenomenal talent that seemed destined to reach the top with the Gunners?

Now aged 29 at best he can be described as journeyman pro who didnt realise his potential.
Currently playing in the Scottish league but even had a spell in Thailand.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[tangysider]

Yes I rated him and can't understand why he did not at least make a championship level career. He was good enough but must have stopped putting the effort in which seems to happen all too regularly with young premiership players.

 

[Goldfinger]

Young prem players are vastly overpaid.
How many are on 20/30/40 k a week but never get near the first team?
It's easy to lose the desire to succeed I suppose if your earning that sort of money for doing very little.

 

[hampshire_exile]

Everyone used to rave about the quality of coaching that Arsenal players received under Wenger. I am sure that, in terms of using the ball, it was fantastic.

However, I saw a quote from one Arsenal player who didn’t kick on who said that by 21, he had never been taught what to do when the opposition had the ball.

Lots of their youth teams dominate youth competitions simply with their ability (which was scary in that Youth Cup semi final at the Emirates). However they don’t seem to get experience in senior football early enough either with Arsenal or on loan. And many youngsters, when they are released by top teams, drop into non league or out if the game altogether very rapidly.

If you aren’t in the first team in a EPL team by the time you are 20, it’s very unlikely you will ever be in the first team at that club - and you should be looking for a loan or move.

Because an EPL club can attract, at the very least, a player from Germany or France, who has 75 senior games under their belt by the age of 20-21 with both potential and senior experience.

 

[deary]

Everyone used to rave about the quality of coaching that Arsenal players received under Wenger. I am sure that, in terms of using the ball, it was fantastic.

However, I saw a quote from one Arsenal player who didn’t kick on who said that by 21, he had never been taught what to do when the opposition had the ball.

Lots of their youth teams dominate youth competitions simply with their ability (which was scary in that Youth Cup semi final at the Emirates). However they don’t seem to get experience in senior football early enough either with Arsenal or on loan. And many youngsters, when they are released by top teams, drop into non league or out if the game altogether very rapidly.

If you aren’t in the first team in a EPL team by the time you are 20, it’s very unlikely you will ever be in the first team at that club - and you should be looking for a loan or move.

Because an EPL club can attract, at the very least, a player from Germany or France, who has 75 senior games under their belt by the age of 20-21 with both potential and senior experience.

Very Good reply hampshire i do worry about top prem teams having a stockpile of the best youngsters & many not making it. I do think they are overpaid & molly coddled.. I can see why wenger concentrated on the ball certainly at youth level as that what makes a footballer. But surely that can be coached later when you are dealing with systems and shape at senior level
I think a lot of his detractors felt he didnt do enough off it with the senior team but is it so important for younger players?


I thought Arsenal would be a good barometer with JET as he was seen as a real hope. Also from around that time Luke Ayling was there and has made it at Leeds.

 

[deary]

Young prem players are vastly overpaid.
How many are on 20/30/40 k a week but never get near the first team?
It's easy to lose the desire to succeed I suppose if your earning that sort of money for doing very little.

I think that can be a major factor.
Players nowhere near the 1st team with far too much money, flash cars & designer lifestyles.
Although he made a few 1st team appearances for Newcastle I think Nile Ranger was one amongst many that likely fell into that category.