Over the past couple of months, I've travelled a lot. I have visited some of the top academies around Europe to learn more about how they develop their players. I've presented at conferences and met with owners, sporting directors, and heads of recruitment to get their take on academy football. I've sat with people from FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League, and we've discussed the philosophies that underpin academy football.
Do we medicate the fish or clean the tank?
I hear a lot of discussion about culture in clubs - clubs love to find "culture carriers" for their teams, but how often do they reflect on the environments that have given rise to certain cultures?
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The more things change, the more they stay the same
I found numerous ways in which young players delivered actions in order to convey what they thought were the correct attitudes in the hope of recognition from a coach or manager.
What needs to change?
This is the deep thinking required to produce world-class players.
Don't panic if your child is not in an academy - do this
There is as much chance of the worst player at that under-7s tournament becoming a professional player when they turn 18 as the best player on the day.