coach
Kennel Legend
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2013
- Messages
- 11,447
- Reaction score
- 6,504
Ole might not be around to get any benefit from the young brigadeOle has been blessed with probably our best crop of youth players coming through since probably the class of 92.
Other than Greenwood who is still 19, we have James Garner, Ethan Laird, Shola Shoretire, Teden Mengi, Charlie McNeil, Ethan Galbraith and Will Fish. Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri, two players that were bought last year.
Ethan Laird is a 19 year old attacking right back, coming through he was considered on par with Greenwood talent wise, some even regarding him a bigger talent. He was bagging 20 goals a season from the fullback spot. Has suffered a few injuries which has stagnated his development but he went out on loan to MK Dons in January and was regularly one of their best performers. Made his debut for us in the Europa League last season.
James Garner, recently turned 20, a holding midfielder who is excellent on the ball. Made 7 appearances for our first team over the last two seasons before going out on loan to Watford, made 20 appearances for them and was a regular until they sacked their manager and the new manager didn’t seem to favour him, United cut his loan short and sent him out to Nottingham forest, Garner coming was a major factor in Forest going from relegation favorites to finishing around mid table, constantly bossed the midfield and bagged a few goals from deep.
Shoretire only recently turned 17 and broke through into the first team towards the back end of the season, a technical winger type. Considered one of our best talents, was heavily chased by Barcelona before signing a pro contract with us. Physically he isn’t ready to make much of an impact but has all the talent in the world.
Diallo at only 18 years old may yet be the best of the bunch, plenty of scouts have named him as the best attacking player coming through for his age group, has had some phenomenal touch’s on the ball in his few minutes in the first team, on the ball he looks great, still a bit weak physically but he has the body frame that can see him build some solid strength.
These 4 as well as Greenwood are easily the best crop of U21 footballers at any side in Europe. If Ole manages to develop and integrate them into the first team slowly then there’s no reason why they can’t be the backbone to a potential world class side. I’m usually pessimistic about young players coming through but like I said, our club hasn’t seen this many class talents coming through in a long time.
His giving a lot of young lads a debut
But your right to get this many around the same age is a credit to our recruitment and retention team for the young boys
