2024 Released Players & City transfer rumours

I think the honest conversations need to happen sooner, to be honest.

It shouldn't really come as an absolute surprise to be told you're not good enough.

That won't benefit the club, of course, but they don't matter as much as the young 'uns.

 

Shoatsy I get the not good enough but these clubs have safeguarding and physiological people on their teams. Could be done better mate could be done better.... it's an experience I have heard about and witnessed and it's not nice. I am old school take the knocks but 9 years is a long time...

 

Easier isn't the question around it, it's a rough scenario in every sense. Easier isn't the thought of how to handle it, what should be the thought of is the care and next steps. We're talking about 15/16 year olds who's entire plan is done and dusted in 10 minutes and the clubs who have carried that dream, to drop them, even if you have the writing on the wall before hand, is still devastating.

I think there should be a duty of care on exit which doesn't exist it appears. Maybe not mandatory, but create check-ins every few months to make sure these young lads are still coping. If they aren't good enough for the academy at the level they were in, clubs helping them find trial days or youth football clubs at a lower peg to try keep their dream alive if they plan on staying in football. I just think its shocking that an industry with this much money and power can cut hundreds and hundreds of U16s every summer and it's just like as soon as you are out the door, you aren't their concern anymore and these teens are just expected to carry on.

 

Everton recalled him, as wasn't getting game time and lost his place. Made 12 starts Aug-Dec.

Interestingly there are reports Orient, Reading and Al-Ettifaq are in for him, according to the hacks online.

 

Not in the slightest. Just the first time he's basically aimed in a conversation that was directly about Young.

 

Sounds like Reading are struggling to get any deal going. The Saudi one is a weird one, apparently it was touted at the start of the window when clubs like Everton and Villa were selling complete unknowns from the academy to each other for like £8m per deal to help with PSR.

 

I wouldn't mind Bradley or Nelson from Derby County on loan but not sure they are available.

 

A centre half coming in and no one leaving would do nicely for me to be honest. Then see where players are at in January as a lot will change.
E.G Gilliead, couple of injuries and he's back in the squad

 

Centre Back target apparently played in the league cup this week which rules out Welch.

 

I'm going for Chris Forino Joseph at Bolton.
Not started in the league but played 2 cup matches.
Was at Wycombe.
6 foot 3.
Centre Back.
Strong in the air.
Big lad.
Ian Evatt has been in the press recently bigging him up for what sounds like a loan move.
Missed most of pre season and needs minutes and experience as started life as a pro quite late
Let's see.

 

T & A saying Welch is though to be wide of the mark.

 

If Simon Parker had a theme tune, it would be Thin Lizzy's Don't Believe A word..................

 

Wonder why no one has taken Michael Hector yet. Or up to this point.

32, plenty of experience. Obviously will cost a fair whack. He's played in a couple of trial games.

Must be something putting people off.

 

He was getting rough reviews from Charlton fans last season. Common noise around him were the legs had gone and so had his physicality. They moved to a back 3 and even as the central CB in a 3, he struggled to look fit. He was dropped in early January and didn't start again until the end of March. He hasn't really had a great lengthy run as a starter since 2019, he's missed a lot of his prime years through injury.

 

Have a look at his appearances over the last 5 or 6 seasons, averages about 15 a year. He also only ever hangs about anywhere for 12 to 18 months so maybe not the most stable of signings.

 

No chance we'll be looking at him then you'd hope. Young lad with a bit of pace I reckon

 

How do you know he even spoke to them?

 

It sounds pretty brutal. During the last year every couple of months an interview should take place with all the boys + Parents. See how they are doing and plans post football for education and future work for all of them. Maybe an employment counsellor to discuss options. Shoving them out of the door is not healthy for the boy or parents.

 

I agree that clubs could and probably should do more but ultimately, the responsibility of making sure these young lads understand they need a back up plan because there is only a very small chance they will go on to make a career out of football, lies with their parents.