12 Jun 2018 08:03:33
I was talking to a scout from the Irish league and he was of the opinion that by at least 19 if a kid wasn't near first team football he wasn't going to make it but didn't Roy Keane head to England at 21 and Ian Wright develop late I'd be pleased to hear a different opinion on this as we've a great kid at our local club who could do well but he's 18 already.

1.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 08:28:05
Yeah lots of examples Jamie vardy Ian Wright Roy Keane Leon Osman are just four off the top of my head but bet there are lots.

2.) 13 Jun 2018
13 Jun 2018 01:48:25
I’m pretty sure that at the age of 19, they should be “near” first team football. Of course there might be the odd exception to the rule but look at everyone’s who’s come through our academy over the last 10 years, how many have actually made it to the big stage?

Rooney - he played at 16.
Barkley - pretty sure he was 16
Rodwell - made it big stage, no idea where he is now
Mustafi - won the WC!
Anichebe - don’t know where he is now but did okay for us
Vaughn - I thought this boy was going to be a rocket but never quite reached his potential.
Duffy - not a top player but he’s made it I suppose.

There are probably a few more but none that spring to mind. I guess Richard Dunne and Baines could made it on this list but I have no idea how old they were when’s they broke into their first team squads.

A lot of players like Baxter and anyone that’s 21 or 22 will never make into the first team. Especially when you consider how far they are behind players like Sane, dele alli, Sterling, stones, martial!