Quote Originally Posted by MrsORichSenior View Post
Sam - How would a player test himself development wise by not moving up via levels ?

WS - Mental development & psychological preparation is also a vast part of becoming an all round player to surely as indeed is discipline off the field with how younger players handle their social life's...............

Ronaldo Vieira came over to England with his parents to progress,failed at 'Udders and Man City,ended up in York to brush up his education via college in York and was developed by i2i private coaching Agency (basically Agents) and has turned out a good 'un thus why I mentioned above points for consideration.
Correct advice & handling of young pro's appears to not always be the case as it's easier to buy cheap abroad for quick fix and i2i York also find rejected young English pro's clubs abroad to resurrect footie careers or help them change careers paths - seen a few around music employment,so clubs still must learn development wise IMO.
MOT
Agree Mrs O, but depression affects all sports and general life. I don't see it as a unique reason why we have a diminishing pool of young players getting through the ranks.

Foreign owners taking over clubs, better work ethic supposedly, more value for money? Mostly Foreign managers and improved global scouting networks.
The money and pressure of the PL and Championship means many managers are loathe to throw in kids less as with Rashford there is some injury crisis going on. Also the Manager is likely on a 1-3 year deal, it doesn't lend itself to bringing on the youth.
The value for money thing, can't understand why clubs, agents, players allow such a disparity...then you have the "cheaper" Africans who will be missing for 6 weeks at least every season with the African Cup. Their needs to be some sort of quotas based on if not nationality at least youth academy development.