Youf/Academy Thread

moomba whats the go with this kid? Ready to step up?

He's a standout at that level but doesn't seem too close to it (Garcia, Doyle, Bellis all closer).

Last I heard was that he probably won't get a look in until next season, and then only a taste. But seems as if he's been shopping himself around a bit so might not get to that stage.
 
What about Troy Parrott?

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By Charlie Eccleshare and David Ornstein 3h ago 18
Why is Troy Parrott not playing? It has been a question asked repeatedly by Tottenham Hotspur fans over the past few weeks.

To quickly recap, Parrott is the prodigiously talented 18-year-old striker from Dublin who is viewed as the Next Big Thing by most Spurs supporters. He is widely admired internally at the club too, though naturally there is a desire there to manage rather than ramp up the hype.

But managing expectations has become increasingly difficult over the past few months for a player who scored goal after goal at youth level.

First, there was a lively senior debut against Colchester in September’s Carabao Cup defeat. Then, Parrott was given his first international cap and provided an assist in the Republic of Ireland’s 3-1 friendly win over New Zealand in November.

A few weeks later he made his Premier League bow in the 5-0 win over Burnley, coming on as an 85th minute substitute. After the final whistle, his head coach Jose Mourinho handed him the match ball — a gesture interpreted as a show of faith. There was even interest from Bayern Munich.


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(Photo: Ian Kington/AFP via Getty Images)

Since that early December day, however, Parrott has not played a single minute for the first team. This, in spite of the fact that the club’s only senior strikers, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, are both out with long-term injuries. “We have zero strikers on the pitch, zero on the bench or zero in the stands,” Mourinho said after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

“What about Troy?” came the collective response when the quotes were relayed via social media.
There is more to it — more on that later — but broadly the answer lies in the fact that Mourinho simply does not think Parrott is ready, something he has said repeatedly in press conferences over the past couple of months. Parrott only turned 18 on February 4 and as recently as the summer of 2017 was still playing for Belvedere FC, his local club in Dublin. Thrusting him into a Premier League side’s first team at such a young age and with so little experience is, in Mourinho’s eyes, not a gamble worth taking.
There are a couple of natural retorts here.

The first is that with no other fit striker, surely Mourinho has no choice but to roll the dice?

The second is to suggest that age is no impediment if a player is good enough. Look at Marcus Rashford, who as an 18-year-old scored four goals in his first two games for Manchester United this week in 2016.
There is an important distinction to make here though, as according to one source Rashford was “in a different galaxy” to where Parrott is now when he got his chance at United. And even then, he was only playing because Louis van Gaal was faced with an injury crisis even worse than the one Mourinho is grappling with, having lost 13 players including Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Adnan Januzaj and even potential makeshift striker Marouane Fellaini. This in turn shows that managers will only “roll the dice” in this way if there is a genuine belief that the player is ready.

Rashford is also the exception rather than the rule, as the step up from youth to senior football is enormous.

Mason Greenwood and Gabriel Martinelli are other 18-year-olds to have made an impact this season, but generally it takes longer.

Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham is only this season cracking the Premier League as a 22-year-old after full seasons out on loan gaining experience in the Championship, Woolwich’s Eddie Nketiah is finally getting minutes at age 20, while Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster is on loan at Swansea City in the second tier as his 20th birthday approaches. Harry Kane was 20 before he started playing with any sort of regularity for Spurs’ first team.

And unlike all of those players, Parrott is not a polished academy product who has been reared for the Premier League from an early age. He only officially joined Tottenham two years ago.
That all being said, given Spurs’ injury crisis it is not unreasonable to expect Parrott to at least be making match-day squads — especially after he signed a three-year contract a few weeks ago. Instead, he has not even been on the bench for the last three games.

This is where the “bit more to it” element comes in.

Sources have told The Athletic that there have been questions over Parrott’s mentality and application of late. Others have registered surprise at the striker’s apparent immaturity, especially when surrounded by his mates. Mourinho meanwhile appeared to suggest the player lacks “emotional control” last week.

Though again it’s worth remembering Parrott has only just turned 18.

And there are other elements to this story.

It has been suggested to The Athletic that a deal was close to being agreed with Charlton Athletic in January for Parrott to join the Championship club on loan until the end of the season. In any event, the switch was scuppered by an obscure UEFA rule that meant Parrott would not have been eligible as a homegrown player in European competition if he had completed the move. Players are required to complete two consecutive years at a club to be counted as homegrown, and since Parrott joined Tottenham on his 16th birthday — February 4, 2018 — he needed to stay until after the transfer window closed to qualify. Otherwise he would have been classed as a foreign player.

Parrott has naturally been left frustrated at the situation — his anger directed at UEFA’s rule not Spurs — especially as not playing will likely prevent him from being picked for Ireland’s Euro 2020 squad. Shortly after the transfer window closed, Ireland’s manager Mick McCarthy said: “I wish he’d gone to Charlton and played games on loan. He couldn’t go out before because of his age and I understand that, but if he’s not playing competitive football he has very little chance of being in the squad.”

Parrott is also understood not to have been given an explanation as to why he is not being selected for Spurs, instead relying on Mourinho’s statements to the media. Harry Winks was similarly left in the dark when he was struggling for minutes at the turn of the year — though this lack of communication is surprisingly commonplace among leading managers. Mauricio Pochettino operated in much the same way when he was at Tottenham.

Some observers attribute Parrott’s lack of game time to Mourinho’s perceived aversion to playing youngsters. One source pointed to Ryan Sessegnon’s struggle for minutes since Mourinho took over as evidence of this, coupled with historical examples like Romelu Lukaku under him at Chelsea. By way of response, Mourinho said on the weekend: “Some managers do it [play youngsters] for the stats. They play them once, then that’s it.” It should be pointed out that thus far this is what Mourinho has done with Parrott.

December saw Mourinho point to Scott McTominay at Manchester United and Raphael Varane at Real Madrid to counter the idea that he has been reluctant to develop young talent. At his Old Trafford introductory press conference in 2016 meanwhile he claimed to have “promoted 49 youth players from academies”. At Spurs, 20-year-old defender Japhet Tanganga has broken into the first team over the past couple of months.

But it’s important not to get bogged down in Mourinho’s past. What matters is that Parrott eventually gets his chance — this, after all, is a player who multiple Tottenham sources have compared to a young Kane.
Whether Mourinho is the ideal manager to develop him is open to debate but all Parrott can do is make it impossible for the head coach not to pick him. He’ll surely get his chance — it’s just a question of when.
In the meantime, Tottenham supporters may be faced with asking why Parrott is not playing for a little while longer.

Guess we’ll have to be patient as he emotionally matures a little
 
Sep 5, 2014
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Nice to see another couple of youf get their PL debuts in Broja and Anjorin. Plus Billy getting his starting debut. Thats 8 so far this season. Making the most out of our transfer ban.
Keane rarely praises anyone...

 
Oct 5, 2007
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It's behind a paywall. Did Matt write this wearing his chelsea kit?
I'm not complaining theres a journalist out there who doesn't hate us. He's a decent one too. Here you guy Bojan, worth the read.


Frank Lampard bristles at the suggestion that circumstance played a decisive part in Chelsea’s youth revolution, but it is becoming apparent that football’s post-coronavirus world may well see clubs having to make the most of what they have already got rather than looking for answers inside a cheque book.

The Fifa-imposed transfer ban perhaps persuaded Chelsea to offer an opportunity to head coach Lampard, but from there the decisions were his. Tammy Abraham over Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi, Mason Mount ahead of Ross Barkley and latterly Billy Gilmour picked in front of Jorginho.

Almost as striking as Gilmour’s performance against Liverpool in the week preceding the shutdown of the Premier League was Roy Keane’s assessment ahead of the visit of Everton, which proved to be Chelsea’s last game before the suspension of football.

Asked about 18-year-old Gilmour, Keane said: “I was sitting at home with a cup of tea and a bit of chocolate in front of me and I didn't have the volume on. When the game started I got out of my seat, which I rarely do and I thought: 'Who is this kid?' He had everything, it was one of the best performances I have seen in a long, long time.”

Gilmour was just as good in the victory over Everton, as the Scot announced himself to be the latest youngster off the Stamford Bridge production line during a season in which one of the main storylines has been Chelsea’s academy graduates.


The way in which the likes of Gilmour, Abraham, Mount, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi repaid Lampard’s faith would no doubt have caused a ripple effect across the Premier League without the threat of a financial crash.
But the impact of the coronavirus shutdown may well give Chelsea’s rivals an extra incentive to follow suit and the club should require no further encouragement to keep looking inside their own academy.
There are youngsters under the class of 2020 who Chelsea hope could save them even more money in the years to come. Tino Anjorin, who made his Premier League debut as a substitute in the Everton game, has agreed a new five-year contract.
Aged 18, the midfielder will be frustrated that he has not yet been able to add to that appearance, but the length of his new deal demonstrates the faith Chelsea have in him.
Below Anjorin, Henry Lawrence, an 18-year-old midfielder, and 17-year-old Lewis Bate have shown promise that they too could make an impact in the coming years, while 16-year-old midfielder Charlie Webster is rated as one of the best prospects at the club.


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp used this season’s cup competitions to give valuable experience to a host of young players and the club believe they have a few gems.
Harvey Elliott, a 17-year-old winger signed from Fulham last summer, is already well known after impressing in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Aston Villa, while Layton Stewart a striker of the same age was on the substitutes’ bench that night and has scored 16 goals in his first full season at Under-18 level.
It is not only Manchester City fans who will already know all about Phil Foden and Eric Garcia, but there are players under the young first-team duo causing excitement at the club - one of whom has a recognisable surname.
Liam Delap is the son of the former Stoke City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory. Unlike his father, he does not have a prodigious long throw, but the 17-year-old does appear to have a very healthy eye for goal. Midfielder Tommy Doyle is also one to watch.
Another young striker with a famous surname is Geroge Hirst, son of David, who joined Leicester City last summer and, aged 21, will soon be hoping to make a mark. Luke Thomas, an 18-year-old, is another promising left-back at the club who hopes to follow in the footsteps of Ben Chilwell.
Manchester United spent £9million to sign 17-year-old Hannibal Mejbri from Monaco, but defender Teden Mengi, also 17, and 18-year-old right-back Ethan Laird have been coming through the ranks for some time and are rated just as highly.


Further down the Premier League, Aston Villa have invested heavily in their academy over the past year and signed 16-year-old striker Louie Barry from Barcelona. But it is a right-back, Kaine Kesler, who has really caught the eye of manager Dean Smith and earned comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Another youngster to have received flattering comparisons is West Ham United’s 16-year-old defender Jamal Baptiste, who has already been likened to Issa Diop and he has been watched by Manchester United.

Norwich City and Brighton both have a crop of promising youngsters. Lewis Shipley, a 16-year-old defender, is thought to have a real chance by those inside Carrow Road, while Sam McCallum came through Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy and will play for the Canaries next season after completing a loan at Coventry City.

Former England technical director Dan Ashworth has been overseeing the development of Brighton’s teenage midfielder Teddy Jenks, whose progress has been held up slightly by an ACL injury, and defender Haydon Roberts, whose reading of the game has stood out at an early age.

With crisis comes danger, which clubs up and down the country are acutely aware of. But it also presents opportunity and there are plenty of talented youngsters waiting for theirs.
 
Oct 5, 2007
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Continued...

Premier League prospects, your club-by-club guide
ARSENAL
Miguel Azeez, a 17-year-old midfielder, has already starred in an Adidas advertising campaign and is hotly tipped. Folarin Balogun is an 18-year-old forward from the United States who has earned praise while 19-year-old Tyreece John-Jules has impressed on loan at Lincoln City.
ASTON VILLA
Indiana Vassilev is a 19-year-old striker who has made his Premier League debut, while Louie Barry, three years his junior, has impressed since joining from Barcelona. Right-back Kaine Kesler, 17, has caught the eye of Dean Smith and John Terry.
BOURNEMOUTH
Sam Surridge was recalled from his loan at Swansea City in January, having made his England Under-21 debut last October. Goalkeeper Mark Travers has already been capped for the Republic of Ireland.
BRIGHTON
Teddy Jenks, an 18-year-old midfielder, and 17-year-old defender Haydon Roberts both played in the Carabao Cup defeat to Aston Villa this season, along with Swedish youth international midfielder Peter Gwargis.
BURNLEY
Corey Brennan was at Manchester United and Wigan before joining Burnley at Under-13 level. He signed a two-year scholarship ahead of this season and the 17-year-old midfielder has been watched closely by manager Sean Dyche.
CHELSEA
Tino Anjorin may be the next in line to break through, but there is plenty more talent under the 18-year-old. Charlie Webster is still only 16, but the midfielder has caused a lot of excitement at the club, while Henry Lawrence and Lewis Bate are worth keeping an eye on.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Tyrick Mitchell has already caused excitement among Crystal Palace fans and, aged 20, the defender will hope to make his first-team debut soon. His room-mate Nya Kirby is also progressing well after being signed from Tottenham Hotspur.


EVERTON
England Under-19 international striker Anthony Gordon has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League, having been prolific for the club at youth level. Under him, Roman Quintyne is a 15-year-old midfielder who has already earned some rave reviews.
LEICESTER CITY
George Hirst may be the most recognisable name among Leicester’s youth ranks, due to his father David, but it is 18-year-old left-back Luke Thomas who is rated as the dark horse to make a real impact on the first team squad. Khanya Leshabela, a 20-year-old midfielder, is also fancied.
LIVERPOOL
Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones are already well known talents, but 17-year-old striker Layton Stewart has shown a real eye for goal and, born in Liverpool, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Robbie Fowler. Neco Williams and Ki-Jana Hoever are two more teenagers to watch for.
MANCHESTER CITY
Son of long-throw specialist Rory, Liam Delap is a bull-dozing striker whose power belies his 17 years of age. Midfielder Tommy Doyle, whose grandfathers Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe were team-mates at City, played in this season’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Attacking midfielder Ben Knight (17) was signed for £1 million from Ipswich Town.


MANCHESTER UNITED
His £9m price take and eye-catching hair make Hannibal Mejbri the stand-out individual in United youth ranks, but Tden Mengi, a 17-year-old defender, and 18-year-old right-back Ethan Laird are rated just as highly inside the club.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Son of former midfielder Lee, Bobby Clark is just 15 years old but has already drawn interest from Tottenham Hotspur. He can play almost everywhere, but has predominantly used as a midfielder so far in his fledgling career. Despite interest from Spurs, Clark is said to be happy at his dad’s old club.
NORWICH CITY
The Canaries have had recent success with some of their young players and there look to be more to follow. Lewis Shipley, a 16-year-old defender, may just be the pick of them, but winger Josh Martin (18) and defender Sam McCallum (19) could soon break through.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Released by Manchester United in the summer of 2019, 21-year-old midfielder Callum Gribbin has shown plenty of promise since joining Sheffield United. Forward David Parkhouse has attracted interest from Celtic and Everton, and could move on after rejecting a new contract offer from the Blades.
SOUTHAMPTON
Famed for the academy success of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale, the Saints will no doubt give chances to the likes of 18-year-old midfielder Will Ferry, signed from Bury, 18-year-old goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and 20-year-old left-back Jake Vokins. Midfielder Will Smallbone impressed in his Premier League debut against Aston Villa.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

There might not be another Harry Kane around the corner, but 18-year-old full back Dennis Cirkin has already earned high praise from head coach Jose Mourinho. Jamie Bowden is a midfielder of the same age who has likened himself to Harry Winks.

WATFORD

Joao Pedro was allowed to join up with Watford in January after the Brazilian forward’s work permit was approved last October. Signed from Fluminese, Pedro won the Copa do Brasil goal of the tournament and has already been hyped up by the Hornets.

WEST HAM UNITED

Jamal Baptiste is a 16-year-old defender who has been compared to Issa Diop and has played for England Under-17s along with forward Amadou Diallo, who has attracted interest from home and abroad and captained England U17s against Russia. Dan Chesters (18) is a midfielder in the Jack Grealish mould.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Full-back Luke Matheson joined Wolves for around £1m from Rochdale in January, having made a name for himself against Manchester United. Already at the club were 17-year-old Chem Campbell and Taylor Perry who are two highly-rated midfielders
 
Dec 30, 2003
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Palace's owners have re-purchased the site of its academy and invested heavily to bring it up to tier 1 level which it hopes to have confirmed in the coming months. South London has a massive catchment area and Palace have missed a lot of talent due to not being Tier 1 - Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham just 2 I can recall.

Our owners are not huge spenders but have kept us in the EPL now for 7 seasons and brought the academy up to standard to improve our sustainability.

Another brick in the wall to grow and improve the club and its status.

A bit frustratingly slow at times but never the less........
 
Size and strength is less of an issue in Spain. I dont think his ability is in question.
Apparently Chelsea might be throwing 30k at him which is ******* crazy
 
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