yep exactly.. feels cut throat too with this one. He has an excellent CV and ticked all my minimum requirements to show he had it...his only fault is he is two years younger in his experience. That’s my take anyway...Did Branthwaite leapfrog cos he is better or again being in the squad at the right time and place to take your chance.
But agree.. going on loan was not a good sign as it meant he didn’t tick the final box.. being in the first team squad by 20.
I feel very strongly around high potentials given game time... hence the disappointment.. is what it is.... and of course every player in blue has full unwavering support..
While we all like to see academy youngsters come through we have to be realistic
Only a very small percentage make it at any PL club
How many players have we let go who have gone on to make it in the PL
The coaches know what it takes to make it and have seen enough youngsters come and go to know who has a chance and who has not
Some players are early flourishers ,and some are late bloomers.
It takes a lot more than skill to make it in the PL and the coaches will be watching for attitude and commitment ,something we never see
Hopefully Brands with his experience in Holland will have a plan and a pathway in place for those he feels will make it
It will take years to change the philosophy of the Academy and hopefully Brands has the final say on every player
I am surprised he has put his own coaches in place by now