No Saints youth in England U18s training squad in January...

[eelpie]

... apparently.

 

http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2013/dec/u18s-squad-named-for-january-training-camp-181213

[richard]

Probably because they're in the u21s squad.

[trousers]

Surprisingly few premier league clubs represented? And one chap from the Pompey team that got thrashed 7-0 the other night.... Funny old game...

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Hardly any Premier League club players, no City, Spurs, Arsenal, United, Everton, Villa or Saints.

Edited 19 December, 2013 by anothersaintinsouthsea
whoops

[Saint Garrett]

Definitely Liverpool players in there!

[Saint_clark]

How has the Jimmy Saville lookalike been called up, he looked atrocious. Hesketh made him look a right mug at one point, flicking it over his head.

 

Also, more forwards than midfielders?

[Saint Charlie]

England Youth setups are often clueless. AOC didnt play for any youth sides and went straight to the U21s.

[a1ex2001]

Can't say I'm bothered I'd much rather they quietly got on with business at staplewood. It is however a surprise given the recent press about our youth system and the fa's desire to play to the gallery.

[JackanorySFC]

England Youth setups are often clueless. AOC didnt play for any youth sides and went straight to the U21s.

 

I know the reason for this, was speaking to one of our previous Managers 2 weeks ago at a family do, he was telling me about AOC. He was basically the opposite of Theo, he was from 9 to 13 years old the absolute stand out player in England, then at 13 other players starting out growing him and he dropped way down the pecking order as his physical development didn't kick in until 16. This ex Manager is certain that he would have been released at other clubs but we supported him throughout, worked on his technique and reaped the rewards when he caught up with everyone else. By which time he was ready to go straight into the U21's. Theo on the other hand absolutely burst onto the scene at 13/14, before his 15th birthday he was recognised as the most exciting player in European youth football and we had Barca, Real, Milan, United, Liverpool, Arsenal etc all watching him from that age. Different players get to a similar level at different times, really interesting chat actually.

 

Basically, don't get too hung up on how many players get into the U18/ U19 year groups. U21's a far better barometer of where we are at youth level as that's where the real talent will get fast tracked to. If Chambers isn't promoted to the U21's next squad I'll be genuinely shocked.

[Saint Charlie]

Very interesting. A good point is someone like Jack Stephens who looked class as 16, 17 and was in the Eng U18s or 19s squad, but is still miles off the first team at Saints...hasn't kicked on.

[Matthew Le God]

Probably because they're in the u21s squad.

 

You have to be born on or after 1st January 1996 to be eligible for England under 18's...

 

- Luke Shaw born 12th July 1995

- James Ward-Prowse born 1st November 1994

[Tokyo-Saint]

You have that on copy and paste don't you MLG? I've got your number!