Squad Ages

AkaAkuma

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May 15, 2012
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Putting aside the fact I'm a sad sack for creating the following image, I thought it would be interesting to look beyond the here and now and see how clubs may be planning for the future.

People often deride LVG for 'laying foundations', but he has created a young team that can compete over the next 5 years. Whether the quality is there is another matter, but age wise we've got a nucleus. City on the other hand are a couple of transfer windows behind us in terms of a strong squad for the future.

Chelsea and Arsenal both have defences which will need renewing. While Arsenal have a decent core of 25-28 year olds, you can't help but feel they have stagnated. Chelsea's weakness seems to be a big drop off from the first team.

Spurs and Liverpool both have a young core in the ascendancy, with decent managers, so I think they will be in the reckoning.

cGAeWnY.png
 
City have some very good players coming through their academy, chelsea have plenty of good young players out on loan, as Chech plays in goal he could go on for another couple of seasons and the same with Koscielny who is only 30
So yes we have some exciting young prospects though realistically it is unlikely all of them will fulfil their potential and some of the other clubs are probably not as far behind us as that data suggests.
 
sun_tzu said:
City have some very good players coming through their academy, chelsea have plenty of good young players out on loan, as Chech plays in goal he could go on for another couple of seasons and the same with Koscielny who is only 30
So yes we have some exciting young prospects though realistically it is unlikely all of them will fulfil their potential and some of the other clubs are probably not as far behind us as that data suggests.
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Chelsea and city would have to start giving youth a chance for that to matter which I strongly believe they won't. City in particular have some huge issues in their squad and it's won't be anywhere as easy to fix as people think. Our squad demographics are in the best shape by far with Spurs.
 
TrustInJanuzai said:
Chelsea and city would have to start giving youth a chance for that to matter which I strongly believe they won't. City in particular have some huge issues in their squad and it's won't be anywhere as easy to fix as people think. Our squad demographics are in the best shape by far with Spurs.
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I dont know... City have invested a huge amount in that academy and having seen some of their young teams play I'd say they probably will have some players coming through over the next couple of seasons just like Iheanacho has this year.
I could see Pep being somebody who would give them the opportunity as well - lets face it he has always given players a chance at Barca and Bayern so I dont see any reason to suggest that will change now
 
sun_tzu said:
City have some very good players coming through their academy, chelsea have plenty of good young players out on loan, as Chech plays in goal he could go on for another couple of seasons and the same with Koscielny who is only 30
So yes we have some exciting young prospects though realistically it is unlikely all of them will fulfil their potential and some of the other clubs are probably not as far behind us as that data suggests.
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Ive tried to keep the information as straight forward as possible, without touching on hypotheticals. While city may have players coming through its only really feesible to bring in a few at a time. So the point still stands that in terms of longevity within the squads, city are a few seasons behind.

Your right about goalkeepers, they are an exception. I also believe Koscielny and Monreal probably have a couple more seasons at the top - they both appear to be in good shape. The data doesnt lie tho, in so far as to say 4 of the 5 in defence will need replacing at the same time.
 
TrustInJanuzai said:
Chelsea and city would have to start giving youth a chance for that to matter which I strongly believe they won't. City in particular have some huge issues in their squad and it's won't be anywhere as easy to fix as people think. Our squad demographics are in the best shape by far with Spurs.
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I agree about Chelsea. I think loftus cheek will play quite abit under Conte, but its difficult to see any other players getting a chance.

Would any Chelsea fans see azpilicueta being moved to the right to accomodate Ake?
 
We do have a pretty young team indeed, but is it a team that can compete for the league title over the next 5 years? I have my doubts. We need more quality players. When that's said, it's great to see so many players coming through our academy and been given the chance this season. I think many of them will have a big future here, and I can't wait to see more of Tuanzebe, Williams and Poole.
 
AkaAkuma said:
I agree about Chelsea. I think loftus cheek will play quite abit under Conte, but its difficult to see any other players getting a chance.

Would any Chelsea fans see azpilicueta being moved to the right to accomodate Ake?
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Andreas Christensen... over 30 BL games this season for a 20 year old defender... I can certainly see him having a role next season
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andreas-christensen/profil/spieler/196948
Mario Pašalić - managed 28 games with Monaco this year and a Croatian international... I could certainly see him getting an opportunity
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mario-pasalic/profil/spieler/205938
Ake and Chalobah being the other 2 youngsters who could possibly get a chance next year
 
I thought Christiensen had another season on loan agreed? Aside from that I dont see it. Chelsea need an experienced replacement for Terry and they already have a young understudy in Zouma. I dont think it would suit his development.

How do chalobah, Pasalic an Loftus cheek compare in terms of positions? As that sounds like 3 players for one position.
 
AkaAkuma said:
How do chalobah, Pasalic an Loftus cheek compare in terms of positions? As that sounds like 3 players for one position.
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Chaloba is more defensive (I could see him compete with Matic / Mikel for example)
Pasalic and RLC more central midfielders (not an area chelsea are blessed in other than Fabregas (who conte may even prefer a bit higher up the field if Oscar does bugger off as he is continually linked to Juve)
 
sun_tzu said:
Chaloba is more defensive (I could see him compete with Matic / Mikel for example)
Pasalic and RLC more central midfielders (not an area chelsea are blessed in other than Fabregas (who conte may even prefer a bit higher up the field if Oscar does bugger off as he is continually linked to Juve)
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Its a tricky one. I think it makes sense to move Fabregas further upfield. But is letting Oscar, 24, go a wise move when your squad is already pretty thin.

I think the above will happen, or atleast might see Oscar benched. Which will leave space for Loftus Cheek and a more experienced midfield signing. Its one or the other with LC and Pasalic - as I don't see Conte relying on two youngsters for one position.

Chalobah seems to have potential, but I don't see Conte picking him over Mikel - he'll go with experience. So I don't see a place for him opening up - without him having his development hampered.
 
712 said:
Interesting to see so few 33 year-olds.

A good thread but terribly disrespectful to Leicester. They are champions after all.
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Im not sure they mind, they are enjoying Thailand at the moment. If you want to adapt the information, feel free.
 
AkaAkuma said:
Bit misleading, you make him sound like a first team regular. 16 games in the league with a total of 997 minutes - isn't particular impressive.
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In the squad 24 times... missed 11 games with a back injury and not been available since Feb
of the 24 times he was named in the squad he started 12 games, he came off the bench 4 times and stayed on the bench 8 times
So actually for a young player thats pretty good I think
Of the games he was eligible for he started half of them and came off the bench a third of the time he was on there
If you assumed he stayed fit then that would be starting 18 games and off the bench 6 times so actually that is pretty much a first team regular - not bad for such a young player in a new league
 
sun_tzu said:
In the squad 24 times... missed 11 games with a back injury and not been available since Feb
of the 24 times he was named in the squad he started 12 games, he came off the bench 4 times and stayed on the bench 8 times
So actually for a young player thats pretty good I think
Of the games he was eligible for he started half of them and came off the bench a third of the time he was on there
If you assumed he stayed fit then that would be starting 18 games and off the bench 6 times so actually that is pretty much a first team regular - not bad for such a young player in a new league
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The main thing that stood out was less then 1000 minutes in the league. A solid first teamer should be getting 2500+. So with the fact that he's in a slightly lower quality league, I'm not sure it looks too good.
 
Took me longer than I care to admit to work out the layout :lol:

City really need some new players coming in. We have a good amount of young players, it's our more established lads I've been disappointed with since Fergie left.
 
AkaAkuma said:
The main thing that stood out was less then 1000 minutes in the league. A solid first teamer should be getting 2500+. So with the fact that he's in a slightly lower quality league, I'm not sure it looks too good.
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so 2500 mins (quite an arbitary figure)
not only is luke shaw not a first team player by that definition nor is Darmain, Valencia, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Schweinstiger, Herrera, Fellaini, Young, Lingaard, Depay, Rooney and Rashford

infact only De Gea, Smalling, Blind, Mata and Martial have done that for us this season. (and if any of them had the 11 games injured at the end of the season none of them would have hit 2500 mins either)

Anyway its a pointless argument but imo playing in over half the games he is fit at 20 is decent and shows enough promice to say he has a chance of making it at Chelsea - afterall I have not written off James Wilson yet and he was at a lower level
 
AkaAkuma said:
Putting aside the fact I'm a sad sack for creating the following image, I thought it would be interesting to look beyond the here and now and see how clubs may be planning for the future.

People often deride LVG for 'laying foundations', but he has created a young team that can compete over the next 5 years. Whether the quality is there is another matter, but age wise we've got a nucleus. City on the other hand are a couple of transfer windows behind us in terms of a strong squad for the future.

Chelsea and Arsenal both have defences which will need renewing. While Arsenal have a decent core of 25-28 year olds, you can't help but feel they have stagnated. Chelsea's weakness seems to be a big drop off from the first team.

Spurs and Liverpool both have a young core in the ascendancy, with decent managers, so I think they will be in the reckoning.

cGAeWnY.png
Click to expand...

Ignoring those who've been out on loan this season, you've missed the following from the Spurs squad: Carroll (aged 23), Bentaleb (aged 21), Winks (20) and Onomah (19).

Also, it's N'Jie rather than N'Jier.
 
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Our squad is young largely because we don't have enough quality players. We've promoted through necessity.

What is clear is there are going to be a lot of big clubs with money chasing a scarcity of available talent. Fees will be insane.

I fully expect a disappointing summer for United in the market. I think we will get a couple of good players, but we need 6-7 top class additions.
 
I think we'll see a few more academy players promoted next season especially on the defensive side so the squad will be even younger.

We really need 1-2 young CM/DMs to inject some energy/passion to the midfield imo.Whether it's internal promotion or bought.
 
Rashford and TFM are our two jewels in my opinion. Then we have CBJ, Pereira, Januzaj, Varela and Wilson all of who have a very good chance of making it. I'd say we should expect 4, absolute minimum of 3 of those players to become mainstays in our squad for the upcoming years.
 
KingMinger22 said:
Our squad is young largely because we don't have enough quality players. We've promoted through necessity.

What is clear is there are going to be a lot of big clubs with money chasing a scarcity of available talent. Fees will be insane.

I fully expect a disappointing summer for United in the market. I think we will get a couple of good players, but we need 6-7 top class additions.
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The youngest arent really the main point of interest for me, more the core of 25-28 year olds. We then have shaw, martial, rashford and possibly memphis as young first team players - thats a decent nucleus, people like TFM, CBJ etc only add to that.

For me the benefit is that we can focus on improving the squad without the need to also be signing players to fill spaces for the future.
 
GlastonSpur said:
Ignoring those who've been out on loan this season, you've missed the following from the Spurs squad: Carroll (aged 23), Bentaleb (aged 21), Winks (20) and Onomah (19).

Also, it's N'Jie rather than N'Jier.
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I think you'll be looking for established players to upgrade both bentelab and carroll this summer. Winks and Onomah I know very little about.

If you want to update the image to fix N'Jiers name be my guest, but for me it doesnt really distract from the conversation and is a tad pedantic.
 
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khoazany said:
I think we'll see a few more academy players promoted next season especially on the defensive side so the squad will be even younger.

We really need 1-2 young CM/DMs to inject some energy/passion to the midfield imo.Whether it's internal promotion or bought.
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Tuanzebe, Williams and maybe Poole could be those academy players. However when it comes to CM/DMs I think we need to buy some quality players as I don't think we got any future worldclass CMs in our current reserveteam. Maybe Goss could get a few chances though?
 
AkaAkuma said:
I think you'll be looking for established players to upgrade both bentelab and carroll this summer. Winks and Onomah I know very little about.

If you want to update the image to fix N'Jiers name be my guest, but for me it doesnt really distract from the conversation and is a tad pedantic.
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I think Carroll and Mason will be the ones we'll try to upgrade in terms of CM cover/competition. Bentaleb I now reckon will be given another season to impress.
 
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