U18 Players 2020/21

[liamoo11]

Was looking at the new players signed for English under 18s sides mostly premier league and championship clubs. Really noticeable how few Irish lads there were compared to other years. There were actually more northern Irish lads. A good sign for the league of Ireland clubs involvement at under age now obviously lads can see a pathway in Ireland. Relatively few of last seasons 17s side are in England .

Callum kavanagh scored 2 at the weekend for Middlesbrough 18s , it would be great to see him progress up to 23s football soon

[tetsujin1979]

Doors Brexit play a part in that?

[youngirish]

Doors Brexit play a part in that?

Shouldn't do. If anything it should mean Irish kids become a more attractive proposition to the clubs than their European counterparts as post Brexit the Irish will be the only nationality whose rights to live and work in the UK will continue unaffected.

[samhaydenjr]

A third wave of goal machines on the horizon:

A brace for Calum Kavanagh in Middlesbrough's 4-3 win over Newcastle made it 9 in 9 games for him: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA806CA806&ei=bgp5X5PvA-OH_QatgaaYDQ&q=u18+premier+league&oq=u18+&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgoIABCRAhBGEP0BMgIIADICCAA yAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAgguOggILhCRAhCTA joFCC4QkQI6CAguELEDEIMBOgsIABCxAxCDARCLAzoFCAAQsQM 6CAgAELEDEIMBOgQIABBDOggILhDHARCvAToECAAQHjoFCAAQk QI6BAguEENQz19Y9n9g25IBaAJwAXgAgAGXAogByAeSAQUxLjQ uMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXq4AQLAAQE&sclient=psy-ab#sie=m;/g/11k8f_hzbs;2;/g/11b6rh6xxp;ln;fp;1;;

A penalty for Tom Cannon against Burnley made it 7 in 8 for him - not as good as the 7 in 4 he had at the start of last season, though! https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA806CA806&ei=bgp5X5PvA-OH_QatgaaYDQ&q=u18+premier+league&oq=u18+&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgoIABCRAhBGEP0BMgIIADICCAA yAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAgguOggILhCRAhCTA joFCC4QkQI6CAguELEDEIMBOgsIABCxAxCDARCLAzoFCAAQsQM 6CAgAELEDEIMBOgQIABBDOggILhDHARCvAToECAAQHjoFCAAQk QI6BAguEENQz19Y9n9g25IBaAJwAXgAgAGXAogByAeSAQUxLjQ uMZgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXq4AQLAAQE&sclient=psy-ab#sie=m;/g/11hnxbd2yc;2;/g/11b6rh6xxp;dt;fp;1;;

[elatedscum]

Shouldn't do. If anything it should mean Irish kids become a more attractive proposition to the clubs than their European counterparts as post Brexit the Irish will be the only nationality whose rights to live and work in the UK will continue unaffected.

Not sure it is already in effect or if it starts from January, but it should change the outlook. Fifa bans all transfers of under 18s from country to country. An exception is made for EU countries, because that rule was found to violate labour laws regarding movement of workers - as your rights as a worker begin at 16.

With the UK leaving the EU, they’re no longer included in that exemption. There are a few workarounds, for example, if the player lives close to the national border (ala Griezmann), or what happened with Messi where Newell’s Old Boys couldn’t afford to pay for his medical treatment, or generally the most common workaround is if the child’s family move to the country for ‘non-footballing reasons’, like a job. This is what’s used to bring in players under 16 as well, but obviously the costs are higher. Arsenal for example, gave Anto Stokes’ father a job working as a councillor or something for youth players, so he could move across at 14.

Obviously clubs were still signing players this summer. Liverpool, for example, took 1 player from Germany and 2 players from Poland. So I assume it hasn’t taken effect yet, unless they’re using those workarounds...

Pretty sure Evan Ferguson’s planned move to Brighton for this January was cancelled because of that:

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.the42.ie/brexit-uk-football-clubs-4984997-Jan2020/%3famp=1

[youngirish]

Not sure it is already in effect or if it starts from January, but it should change the outlook. Fifa bans all transfers of under 18s from country to country. An exception is made for EU countries, because that rule was found to violate labour laws regarding movement of workers - as your rights as a worker begin at 16.

With the UK leaving the EU, they’re no longer included in that exemption. There are a few workarounds, for example, if the player lives close to the national border (ala Griezmann), or what happened with Messi where Newell’s Old Boys couldn’t afford to pay for his medical treatment, or generally the most common workaround is if the child’s family move to the country for ‘non-footballing reasons’, like a job. This is what’s used to bring in players under 16 as well, but obviously the costs are higher. Arsenal for example, gave Anto Stokes’ father a job working as a councillor or something for youth players, so he could move across at 14.

Obviously clubs were still signing players this summer. Liverpool, for example, took 1 player from Germany and 2 players from Poland. So I assume it hasn’t taken effect yet, unless they’re using those workarounds...

Pretty sure Evan Ferguson’s planned move to Brighton for this January was cancelled because of that:

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.the42.ie/brexit-uk-football-clubs-4984997-Jan2020/%3famp=1

But even if this happens won't it mean that Irish kids once they turn 18 will be a more attractive proposition to the English clubs than kids from other European countries who will likely need a work visa? I'd imagine applying for work visas for youth team players will involve jumping through a considerable amount of red tape and expense particularly if clubs already have a number of existing youth team players who also have needed visas.

[Eirambler]

Yes, this looks set to kick in on the 1st of January. I think it could change depending on how the Brexit talks end up, but judging by how they are going right now it'll be coming into force. It creates the strange situation where Irish players can have their pick of European clubs at 16, but not British clubs. We could easily see a much wider spread of young Irish players across the continent as a result, although there are obviously language and cultural barriers to overcome.

The other possibility it that players stay longer in Ireland with UK clubs forming link ups with Irish clubs to manage players at 16 and 17. Having players like Troy Parrott and Gavin Bazunu playing league of Ireland up to their 18th birthday would be an interesting prospect for the league.

[tetsujin1979]

Joe Hodge back in the man city u18 side today
1319993484384882688

[samhaydenjr]

So this young lad Andrew Moran, who went to Brighton from Bray over the summer has had a pretty decent start to his career in England - scored against Arsenal U18s a couple of games back and nabbed a hat-trick today against Leicester. Matt Everitt also scored, his third goal in three games: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61842/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

[tetsujin1979]

The FA Youth Cup Final between Manchester City and Chelsea is on BT Sport tonight. City beat Blackburn 4-0 in the semi final last week, while Chelsea, who had George Nunn on the bench, knocked out Man United.
Joe Hodge scored City's opening goal against Blackburn, at 1:40 below
K-f5cwdIItQ
Incidentally, this is the fourth time in the last seven years that City and Chelsea have faced each other in the final.

[elatedscum]

Presumably this is last season’s comp which was abandoned being completed?

[tetsujin1979]

Presumably this is last season’s comp which was abandoned being completed?
yeah, the fixtures were postponed from March

[Eirambler]

City won 3-2. I thought Hodge played very well, although he hasn't grown a millimetre since I first saw him play underage for Ireland. It's probably been said a hundred times on here, but hopefully we can hold on to him.

[tetsujin1979]

I think he's the first Irish player to win the cup since Kyle McFadden with Norwich in 2012/13?
Gavin Bazunu was on the bench for city last year, when they lost to Liverpool, Tyreke Wilson was on the City team that lost to Chelsea in 2016/17, and Noe Baba and Dean O'Halloran played for Fulham when they lost to Chelsea in 2013/14, but I don't think there's been any other recent players

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Hodge was OK last night. Had no idea he was so small.

[Razors left peg]

Hodge is tiny, but I wonder would Kenny fast track him into the seniors as a number 10 option in the next year or so. He has said numerous times how much he rates him.

[elatedscum]

What I’ve seen of Hodge, he’s better deeper. I’d say he’ll get a international call up within 12 and a half months...

[Razors left peg]

What I’ve seen of Hodge, he’s better deeper. I’d say he’ll get a international call up within 12 and a half months...

Hes been excellent any time Ive seen him, you would worry about his size but I suppose no one cared about Iniestas size :p

[tetsujin1979]

If you're good enough, you're tall enough!

[Razors left peg]

If you're good enough, you're tall enough!

As someone who is 5Ft 6 I completely agree LOL

[tetsujin1979]

Tayo Adaramola signed his first professional contract with Crystal Palace today: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/tayo-adaramola-signs-professional-contract-with-crystal-palace

[ColourfulPeanut]

Good interview with him here, seems proud to play for Ireland!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=223&v=hX06rLysZpY&feature=emb_title

We're desperately short of left backs too, so hopefully he's one to watch over the coming years.

[tetsujin1979]

Brighton's Andrew Moran being monitored by United and Chelsea apparently: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-chelsea-man-utd-monitoring-impactful-brighton-prospect

[CSAD]

Brighton's Andrew Moran being monitored by United and Chelsea apparently: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-chelsea-man-utd-monitoring-impactful-brighton-prospect

No surprise, his stats this year for Brighton have been phenomenal. The 2nd most assists at u18 PL level and surely amongst the top 10 goal scorers (I only have the top 5 but the 5th place has 15 and Moran has 11) apparently he has the most assists ever for a Brighton player at this level and is not far off having the most goals for a Brighton player at this level either.

Not a bad first season in English football!

[Eirambler]

The best move for Moran here will almost certainly be to stay with Brighton. Good to hear of the interest though as, despite his stats, he is one of the more under the radar Irish players in the UK at the moment. Obviously the international grades below Under 21 being cancelled contributes to that, but he might have a shot at an Under 21 call up in the next few months.

[kennedmc]

Brighton's Andrew Moran being monitored by United and Chelsea apparently: https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-chelsea-man-utd-monitoring-impactful-brighton-prospect

Eh that article has not once piece of evidence to support it claims. Says he is on the verge of breaking into Potter's 1st team squad - surely he would already be consistently in the u23s if that was so(Ferguson already has way more game time at u23 level).

I'm not criticizing Moran - fair play to him - looks to have had a great season at U18 level. Just something about the article seems amiss

[tetsujin1979]

not sure how reliable teamtalk are myself

[Razors left peg]

Brighton are not exactly stacked with great strikers so if he has a good preseason he might get a look in next season there. Should stay where he is.

Lets not forget that at same age Parrott was being linked with every big club in Europe in some papers

[CSAD]

Brighton are not exactly stacked with great strikers so if he has a good preseason he might get a look in next season there. Should stay where he is.

Lets not forget that at same age Parrott was being linked with every big club in Europe in some papers

I’d agree if you were talking about Ferguson, Moran though is a CAM.

In Parrott’s case there’s a difference between being linked to big club when you are at Brighton and being linked to be clubs when you are at Spurs.

[Exgrad]

Eh that article has not once piece of evidence to support it claims. Says he is on the verge of breaking into Potter's 1st team squad - surely he would already be consistently in the u23s if that was so(Ferguson already has way more game time at u23 level).

I'm not criticizing Moran - fair play to him - looks to have had a great season at U18 level. Just something about the article seems amiss

He was in the u23 squad for last few games, sometimes these break throughs can happen quicker than you think, and skip a load of u23 appearances (or loans to crappy league 1 teams). Anyway, there's no rush, he's performing extremely well at his level and progressing. Some limited senior level exposure at Bray as well, which may stand to him.

[Razors left peg]

I’d agree if you were talking about Ferguson, Moran though is a CAM.

In Parrott’s case there’s a difference between being linked to big club when you are at Brighton and being linked to be clubs when you are at Spurs.

Fair enough but Brighton don't have any fantastic creative players either so he could still be in with a shout. Lalana was supposed to be that player when they signed him but hasn't worked out as well as they would have hoped.

[CSAD]

Fair enough but Brighton don't have any fantastic creative players either so he could still be in with a shout. Lalana was supposed to be that player when they signed him but hasn't worked out as well as they would have hoped.

Yeah I’d agree with that also, he’s got real natural ability with the ball at his feet, very encouraging to see a player sign from somewhere like Bray Wanderers and seemlessly fit into a good English u18 side and adapt. He issue is he doesn’t count as a homegrown player so he may miss out on a place on the bench to another player, hopefully he gets a chance but I’d be more looking to next season if I was Moran if he’s still at Brighton that is.

[CSAD]

Eh that article has not once piece of evidence to support it claims. Says he is on the verge of breaking into Potter's 1st team squad - surely he would already be consistently in the u23s if that was so(Ferguson already has way more game time at u23 level).

I'm not criticizing Moran - fair play to him - looks to have had a great season at U18 level. Just something about the article seems amiss

There are other factors in that though, Brighton are in the top 3 at u18 level in England this year and Moran has been a very key player in that team whereas Brighton aren’t doing much at all at u23 level so based on that they probably think it’s more beneficial for Moran & Brighton to stay with the u18s for the rest of this season and then look to move up this year, Ferguson for instance just joined mid season so they probably thought it was a good idea to just keep him with the u23s as he hadn’t played with the u18 players that season.

Brighton’s coaches would have a much better on idea on where a player is though so if they feel he’s ready they may give him a try and like what’s been said by Razor they really don’t have anyone like him in the senior team so maybe they will look to get him involved earlier than expected. I do get you’re point though and it’s valid but it’s never just as simple as that!

[samhaydenjr]

A few goals from Irish players at U18 level today (although they are from players who have stepped back down from U23 level):

Calum Kavanagh is on fire at both levels - two goals and an assist today for Middlesbrough against Stoke: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61905/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

Oliver O'Neill opened the scoring for Fulham in their 8-0 thrashing of Leicester, his second in two games at this level: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61748/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

Thomas Cannon grabbed his eleventh goal in twenty-two U18 games as Everton beat Wolves: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61910/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

And some assists:

Cian Coleman set up one of Leeds' goals in their defeat against Man United: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61902/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

Two assists in the Brighton v Palace game - Andrew Moran for the Seagulls, Tayo Adaramola for the Eagles: https://www.premierleague.com/match/61899/u18-premier-league/2020-21/tbc-v-tbc

[tetsujin1979]

Didn't know Coleman had been on the bench for the Leeds U21 side in their FA Trophy game against Accrington Stanley in September: https://motleedsnews.com/comment/cian-coleman-one-to-watch-for-leeds-fans-as-u18s-ace-stars-in-8-2-win-v-mk-dons/
He wasn't 16 until two weeks later!

[tetsujin1979]

Andrew Moran scored Brighton's opener in the PL U18 Cup final against Middlesbrough, with Calum Kavanagh up front for Boro
The full game is on YouTube, Moran's goal at 44:15
q1jOmvMz52E

[Olé Olé]

https://twitter.com/KennysKids/status/1389971687211520001?s=19

Just found a short version of that goal on Twitter. What a goal. This Moran lad must be special.

[liamoo11]

The rep of Ireland youth tracker Twitter page reporting that Josh Ireland is in an under 19 training squad for later this month. Great to see. Have felt sad for the last few years that sites have not even mentioned him as potentially a player for us just because his dad had issues with the set up. The kid has 2 Irish born parents so best of luck to him https://mobile.twitter.com/RepTracker/status/1390973411023802373

[Eirambler]

According to Irish Abroad/Tets a Sean Roughan played for Southampton Under 18s today. Has the Lincoln Sean Roughan moved to Southampton or do we have two Sean Roughan's playing in England who are very close in terms of age?

[tetsujin1979]

Might be a slight mistake on my part. I'm not sure if he did play for the U18s today, he was named on the team earlier, but can't find confirmation
However, he did play for Southampton's U23 side yesterday as a trialist

[Olé Olé]

The rep of Ireland youth tracker Twitter page reporting that Josh Ireland is in an under 19 training squad for later this month. Great to see. Have felt sad for the last few years that sites have not even mentioned him as potentially a player for us just because his dad had issues with the set up. The kid has 2 Irish born parents so best of luck to him https://mobile.twitter.com/RepTracker/status/1390973411023802373

I don't like how that says that he has been "invited". No indication that he has accepted the invite. They could have invited Liam Delap too!

Interesting re Roughan. I see he was on the bench for Lincoln as recently as two weeks ago. Ledwidge and O'Connor look shy of making a breakthrough there and surely the latter will move on.

[Eirambler]

So the same player then? Wonder what the story is there - he was in the Lincoln first team earlier in the season.

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah, it's the same player. Would be some jump from Lincoln to Southampton

[tommy_c12000]

The Imps forum for some more background. On a pro contract so Southampton need to cough up a bit for him. They don’t seem to be too worried as they haven’t seen him since before Christmas https://forums.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/summer-transfer-rumour-thread.114693/page-7

[Eirambler]

Seems like a shortsighted view - but that's maybe the reality further down the divisions. Would have thought most clubs' fans would want to keep a 17 year old who has played in the first team and looked decent rather than sell for a few hundred thousand.

Roughan would potentially join two other Irish left backs at Southampton in O'Connor and Ledwidge, but I think both are out of contract and may be both let go next month, so perhaps that's where the interest/under 23 space has come from.

From what I know of him he would be more highly rated than either of those two, and Southampton is a good club for a young player to develop at. Obviously he wouldn't be expecting to be anywhere near the first team for a few years though, even if he does well.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/southampton-sean-roughan-lincoln-city-5394039

Interesting comments from the manager at Lincoln. He's essentially saying that Southampton have been interested in Roughan for a while and that he's not in the team so they're willing to entertain genuine interest:

“I want to improve the team and make it better than what it is at the minute. As he’s not in the team at the minute, it’s a bit of a balancing act.
“If his pathway is away from Lincoln and it’s the right thing for the club, we’ve had those honest conversations with him.

Interesting comments. As Eirambler says, could be the reality further down the divisions where Lincoln aren't able to give this lad first team games or top level coaching plus U23 and U18 games so he's between two stools. Loan him to the National League? Or sell him, extract some cash and include a sell-on clause?

[Eirambler]

It was always a strange club for him to go to for starters - I remember reading that he had other options but Lincoln were the only ones who would help him to do his leaving cert so his parents went with them.

I know if I was a Lincoln supporter I'd be hoping that they'd loan him to League 2 or the National League to help him develop, but the fact that they're letting him actually travel to another club for trial games suggests they're keen to sell if they get an anyways decent offer.

[liamoo11]

Funny that they would take hom on trial seeing as he has played league football in league 1 this season surely that's how they would make a decision . Imagine the uproar if Johnny Kenny went over on trial to Southampton under 23s people would be saying how disrespectful to the league of Ireland it would be

[elatedscum]

I don't like how that says that he has been "invited". No indication that he has accepted the invite. They could have invited Liam Delap too!


He posted about it on social media today, so I guess he has... Talented young lad

[Olé Olé]

He posted about it on social media today, so I guess he has... Talented young lad

Very interesting. I see it here now as his Instagram story. Sharing a screenshot of his mother's tweet.

It isn't all that long ago that he posted this on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEoJdZAWPY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link