This hasn’t happened because of an interview quote from a couple of weeks ago. Don’t be silly.
He hasn't gone to City because he can see a clear path to the first team has he behave.
If a kid that age is bothered about how much money he is earning then tbh let them go.
Why shouldn't they be? 99% of all academy kids don't make it at a professional level. Quite frankly it should be the only thing they're concerned about til about 20
Not for me, at 15 you should just want too learn and show people what you can do at that age. If you are just worried about bread for the next pair of trabs or the latest fancy trackie that Nike have brought out then leave them too it imo. There is plenty of time for it in the future, the rewards will come from hard work.
Going to City means more money more prestige and better facilities i'd be more worried about player turning all that down because at 15 they think they have a better 'pathway to the first team' which is just horrible corporate speak being co-opted into football by people who want to sound like they know what they're talking about but don't anyway.
It’s also probably the case that, a bit like United in the 90s even for the ones that later get released being an “ex-City academy prospect” is a big leg up on your next step (“well he must be good”) and if you can get in the door you’ll have that label forever.
Yep, right now he gets the best facilities, coaches, loan options, more money and if it doesn't work out he will get his reputation enhanced of being an ex man city player. It probably gets him straight back in the Wales fold which he has missed the last few squads of.
We used to have a productive academy with good coaching standards, Id like us to get back to that way. I think for a club like us that struggles in the big boys transfer market having a good youth setup is vital imo. I can however fully accept (like you said) that some kids will see their futures away from EFC given the way things are at the moment and it's likely to be that way for a while.
