Wow, and by the sounds of it he doesn’t coast as some youth players are inclined to do when physically they’re so much more dominant than their peers? He probably needs to be pushed to make sure he doesn’t become complacent - challenged with more senior football where he won’t be able to rely on physical advantages to the same extent.
More Yaya than Pogba, Sweeting?
I certainly haven’t seen him coast - he’s a bit like Balagizi (although he’s better than Balagizi at the moment) in that despite being bigger than everyone his main talent is his technical ability. I’d honestly be disappointed if he doesn’t get a fair amount of first team football this season and he’ll be training with the first team everyday.
Man City and Man Utd are have been looking at signing him. For his sake I hope he stays at Villa. Man City in particular would be a total waste of time for him.
Edit: And yes more Yaya than Pogba. Although it’s a similar comparison but I think he’s a bit more energetic than Pogba.
Damning in what sense? For his Liverpool career yeah sure but we already know he’s not making it with us.
For his overall prospect!!!
Like I said I think he’s the type of player who could start in League Two next year and has a ceiling of the Championship. I think that’s not unreasonable.
Another famous academy that has underperformed in recent years. Declan Rice and Ben Johnson were the only U23s to play over one thousand minutes last season - with Aji Alese coming third clocking in at a meager ninety minutes across the season.
Both of their youth sides have similarly struggled, winning just twelve games between them in fourty-eight games. However, there are talented players in the system even if the general level of the academy is not at the standard expected.
The Hammers, despite a strong season in the Premier League, are light in squad depth and this could be the season that a range of youth prospects get the opportunity to move into the reckoning.
Irish U21 international Conor Coventry was the standout performer for the U23s in 20/21 and has continued that fine run of form into West Ham’s pre-season. Coventry spent time on loan at Lincoln two seasons ago and the experience kicked him on to another level, dominating the U23 level with five goals and two assists in seventeen appearances from a defensive midfield position. Possessing a diverse passing range and a thunderbolt shot, the dynamic midfielder has made a strong case for himself to become a first team regular this season behind Pavel Soucek and Declan Rice, while a call up to the full Irish national side is surely just a matter of time.
Odubeko is a natural goalscorer who scored twelve times in his first season at U23 level playing just 908 minutes to do so. The former Man City and Man Utd striker was often deployed from the left wing but he is a natural born striker and will expect to occupy that role this season. Tall and quick, Odubeko has a striking resemblance to Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and the physicality to cope with Premier League football should he earn the opportunity this season. Capable of scoring goals from all over the pitch - including a beautifully taken long range strike against Southampton - this Irish U21 international, much like his teammate Conor Coventry, can expect first team and international recognition this season with options limited for both club and country.
England U17 international Jamal Baptiste is probably the best prospect at the academy and another in the long line of quality central defenders to be churned out by West Ham. Last season he turned in a string of high quality performances and earned himself a spot on the first team bench while aged just sixteen. In pre-season, Baptiste has continued the good form, impressing in his early outings and making a genuine case for himself to be a regular in David Moyes’ squad. He does have competition from the youth system; Frederik Alves and Aji Alese are both fine players themselves but Baptiste is the youngest and most polished of all three, his ceiling is almost limitless at this stage.
Liverpool U18s vs Connah’s Quay
Involved: Davies, Mrozek, Jonas, Chambers, Bajcetic, Miles, Balagizi, McConnell, Frauendorf, Cannonier + U16 players
8-0 win. Against their U18s I should have mentioned so not a surprise
Birmingham City announced in December 2020 that they were planning on rebuilding their academy to reduce their financial investment on junior age groups and establish a B + C team system instead, citing a lack of competitive football in The Professional Development League. The Premier League responded by promoting them to a Category 1 Academy, meaning this is now their first season in Premier League 2 and the U18 Premier League.
Gathering information on the lower levels of youth football is a bit more difficult so I don’t have a full profile on them. However, Birmingham have indicated they are willing to sell any of their U18s with a few of them attracting interest across Europe including the intriguing prospect of Jobe Bellingham - the young brother of England international Jude.
Having already sold Amari Miller, who had just cracked the first team, to Leeds and Calum Scanlon last season to Liverpool the sales look set to continue at St Andrews with clubs sniffing around everyone with a bit of talent about them.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Oliver Basey |
| CB | Mitchell Roberts |
| CB | Nico Gordon |
| RB | Marcel Oakley |
| LB | Kyle Hurst |
| CM | Oriol Soldevila |
| CM | Remi Walker |
| CM | Tate Campbell |
| RW | Caolan Boyd-Munce |
| LW | Josh Andrews |
| CF | Adan George |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Alfie Brooks |
| CB | Conor Barrett |
| CB | Tom Fogarty |
| RB | Rico Browne |
| LB | Harley Hamilton |
| CM | Jordan James |
| CM | Harry Manton |
| CM | Cianole Nguepissi |
| RW | Rico Patterson |
| LW | Jobe Bellingham |
| CF | Kieran Wakefield |
Not just listed here for his familial links, Jobe is an England U15 international currently being linked with a move to Manchester United. Jude’s younger brother could be set for a similar meteoric rise through the ranks. Already a regular in the U18 set up (he made his debut at 14) Jobe is an offensively minded player often deployed on the right of midfield or as a central striker. Borussia Dortmund have expressed an interest in pairing the brothers again and although there is no guarantee he can replicate Jude’s success all indications seem to be that he is on a similar path. Watch this space.
Browne is another Birmingham prospect who has been playing well ahead of his age group. He appeared at just fifteen in the FA Youth Cup, quite literally doing his homework on the way to the game which he then dominated in a 4-1 win. He’s tall and excellent aerially, contributing consistently with set piece goals, but more impressive is his ability on the ball. The definition of a modern defender, Browne happily steps out into midfield and can play raking long range passes to really speed up attacks. Unusually for a CB he loves diving into a tackle, which is the habit that drew me to the Tyrone Mings comparison. Unsurprisingly, he has a host of Premier League teams trying to take him away from the Brummies - West Ham and Tottenham both had him on trial in March and Everton are also credited with an interest. If he chooses to stay at Birmingham, expect him to be accelerated into the first team fold.
Having broken into the Birmingham City team towards the end of the season, and being the only youth team player Birmingham took on their pre-season tour, Gordon looks set to increase his gametime in 2021/22. Similarly to Rico Browne, Gordon is a technically good CB with a strong passing range and ability to step into midfield. He is strong in the air and fairly quick, he is competent enough at nineteen for Championship football. Like his player comparison he has been utilised as a RB despite not looking totally comfortable there however that flexibility should allow him more first team opportunities. Gordon perhaps lacks the top-end potential of Browne but is more game-ready for Birmingham right now.
Thanks @Sweeting for continuing to do these. Always fun to see the potential stars of tomorrow. Although, I can’t wait to see what you think of our squads this year.
Reiterating Redfanman’s comments thank you for taking the time to do this. Your passion for this level of football is clear to see and informative to all of us.
I have mentioned this before, I live in Birmingham and there is a lot of talk that Bellingham’s younger brother has an equal/higher potential.
Birmingham’s owners literally have no care for the club, they have recently sold off the ground to a sister arm of their business in order to “appease” FFP. I know we got Scanlon from Birmingham and also signed players of similar potential ie Gordon, but Bellingham (younger) is a player we should be buying.
That would likely help the elder Bellingham settle at Liverpool once he decides to up roots at Dortmund. 
Dortmund and United are already making moves for the younger Bellingham apparently.
Crazy that the Birmingham owners have taken that stance with the youth teams when it’s produced so many players and money for that club.
The Baggies gave thousands of minutes of football to U23 players last season with Dara O’Shea leading the way for academy graduates. The Irish international has emerged as a starting centre back for the midlands club. West Brom have a traditionally successful academy but it has struggled to replicate previous success in recent years. O’Shea’s development should provide hope that the route is not totally closed.
In terms of results, West Brom U23s struggled just as much as the first team did. They finished thirteenth in Division 2 while the U18s did not fare much better finishing eighth out of thirteen. Although results at this level are secondary, it does indicate that there is perhaps a lack of talent within the squads. Indeed it appears West Brom thought so - they allowed seventeen youth team players to walk this summer so both U23 and U18 sides will have completely new looks.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Ted Cann |
| CB | Zak Delaney |
| CB | Saul Shotton |
| RB | Taylor Gardner-Hickman |
| LB | Zac Ashworth |
| CM | Toby King |
| CM | Jamie Andrews |
| CM | Quevin |
| RW | Rayhaan Tulloch |
| LW | Rico Richards |
| CF | Owen Windsor |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Position | |
| GK | Ronnie Hollingshead |
| CB | Daniel N’Goma |
| CB | Leon Machisa |
| RB | Reece Hall |
| LB | Lino Sousa |
| CM | MacKenzie Lamb |
| CM | Mark Chidi |
| CM | Josh Barrett |
| RW | Reyes Cleary |
| LW | Fenton Heard |
| CF | Samuel Okoka |
Former Bury defender Saul Shotton signed for West Brom in 2019 and spent the first part of 2020 on loan with National league side Woking where he made fifteen starts before being recalled in January. The talented defender was the most sought after free agent following Bury’s dissolution and he committed his future to the club by signing a new deal in November. With a slight build and primarily ‘footballing’ based approach to the game, Shotton could potentially struggle with the physical aspects of Championship football but in an attacking system, as the Baggie should be at this level, his comfort in possession can open up further offensive opportunities.
Promoted to the first team by Sam Allardyce for West Brom’s trip to Arsenal in May, Gardner-Hickman has started pre-season with an intensity of a player who knows he has a real chance of becoming a first teamer under new boss, Valerian Ismael. With Darnell Furlong the only other right back in the squad, and Gardner-Hickman consistently impressing at U23 level, the wing back has every chance of competing for first team action. Despite not being the quickest full back in the world, he consistently gets himself high up the field and into goal scoring opportunities. Defensively he is fine, but certainly getting forward is his main focus.
Richards signed his first professional contract for West Brom in 2020 and has already seen himself burdened with the label of ‘wonderkid’. Already playing for England U19s, the forward is versatile and tricky but backs it up with strong technical ability which make him the designated free kick taker for West Brom U18s. Perhaps his most impressive performance was up against Liverpool’s Billy Koumetio - Richards consistently beat the French defender with speed and strength, turning him inside out at will and pinching the ball off his toes on numerous occasions causing mayhem within the Liverpool backline. The performance displayed everything great about his game; close control, strength, pace and a determination to win the ball back. Richards was prolific at U18 level but he projects as a slightly different forward at first team level, setting the press and winning possession to set off other goal scoring teammates.
@Sweeting do you think some of these young players, specially those in their 20s, will get considerable minutes with the senior team?
Pep Lijnders confirms Ben Woodburn has a future at Liverpool:
“Again, what a performance from Ben, I’m so happy for him. Like many of the team it didn’t come easy for him, but he has an Anfield future.” [LFC]
Called it
The Welsh Mbappé
Llbappé, perhaps? 
Almost mate,it’s llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliombappembappembappe.
They retired Jude Bellingham’s shirt number after the transfer. They have no grasp/understanding of Football. I actually fear for BCFC, having lost their ground and additionally (I believe) their training ground they have no assets and therefore no leverage with the banks.
My only optimism in terms of the ground, is that it is in the middle of a right sh*t hole and mainly commercial/industrial businesses. So i cant (touch wood) see them selling the land for residential property.
The only Mbappe I want looks like a Teenage Turtle, puts the sh*tters up the opposition and in my opinion has the potential to take the best player in the world mantle off Harvey Elliot, sorry I mean Messi/Ronaldo.
On a serious note, I feel sorry for Woodburn to a certain degree.
When I first saw him play, I thought they would most likely try and develop him into a ‘Coutinho’ role/player. But our style of play has changed since then and not relied on a The false no.9.
I genuinely hope he builds on the positives of his recent performances and make
