What needs to change?
This is the deep thinking required to produce world-class players.
Football career knowledge base
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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.
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You're "Big Time"
This edge is not developed in academies. In fact, in my research, I found more cases where that edge is coached out of people because it causes a problem.
The myth of the 0.012%
These claims do little to advance our understanding of this topic and, therefore, are of little use for players who are trying to prepare for their careers or the parents and guardians supporting them
"It's a huge challenge, and it's one that we face every single day"
From a player's and family perspective, if others are protecting their own position, then you have no choice but to do the same. Where is your evidence that you are good enough?
What happens when clubs get releases wrong?
A release is a moment in time. One point in a long process. A chance to be honest and reflect. A chance to critique feedback and re-prioritise.
Extreme Ownership
In ownership comes a level of freedom we can't accomplish without some hard work.
Trust in professional football
Trust, in aspect of elite sport, is hard to manage. But it isn't in a space away from a club. This is something I have increasingly focussed on in my work.
30-1 Shot
We might look at the high number of under-21 players used by Sunderland and think, this is a good place for a career. BUT, a further move or loan has been necessary for these players.
Moving the needle
The confidence of being on the pitch, present, in the moment, unshackled, unburdened, all because you have a plan, that is where performance peaks. That is how you shift the needle.
The first cut is the deepest
Biological age in a football academy refers to how physically developed a player is compared to their actual chronological age. What does the research say about the impact of this?
Getting an Agent: How to...
If you read these blogs, you will know I love the conceptual idea of Simon Sinek's "always start with why?" and that it is worth asking about an agent.