Development/Youth Squads 2025/2026 Thread - U18/U21

[pmcla26]

1 minute ago, Tommy G said:

Surprised he got another two years tbh 

Club must have hopes he can be a late bloomer. He lost roughly 2 years or so with his injury so development wise he’s probably back where someone at 19 would be. 

[AKCJ]

6 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

Surprised he got another two years tbh 

That realisation that 2027 is only two years away. **** me where is time going.

[Tommy G]

7 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Why? 

Struggled in the Scottish league and has suffered since his injury. Just don't think he has the physicality pre or post injury, hope I'm wrong but not sure he will make a career at this level or above. 

[st albans fox]

14 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Man City or anyone else cannot get him to sign a pro deal until he turns 17 either, at which point the clause will kick in anyway

I reckon this covers his options 

we are committed to the pro contract once he’s 17. So if he picked up an acl this season and couldn’t play the following one he has the security of a decent contract. 

it could be that he can sign for someone else at the point that he’s 17. not sure if we can impose restrictions given his age and the rules. 
could be that this is all in his favour - which is right at his age. 

[st albans fox]

1 minute ago, Tommy G said:

Struggled in the Scottish league and has suffered since his injury. Just don't think he has the physicality pre or post injury, hope I'm wrong but not sure he will make a career at this level or above. 

I think he will be spending a lot of time this summer in the gym. 

[Tommy G]

1 minute ago, st albans fox said:

I think he will be spending a lot of time this summer in the gym. 

Agreed, needs to.

[Tommy Fresh]

4 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

Struggled in the Scottish league and has suffered since his injury. Just don't think he has the physicality pre or post injury, hope I'm wrong but not sure he will make a career at this level or above. 

Wasn't really given a chance at Dundee

[davieG]

6 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

I reckon this covers his options 

we are committed to the pro contract once he’s 17. So if he picked up an acl this season and couldn’t play the following one he has the security of a decent contract. 

it could be that he can sign for someone else at the point that he’s 17. not sure if we can impose restrictions given his age and the rules. 
could be that this is all in his favour - which is right at his age. 

I'd like to think he's committed to the contract and at that point anyone wanting him then will have to pay a transfer fee of our choosing.

[Foxdiamond]

Encouraging news. Obviously know a fair bit about Monga and Braybrooke. Can anyone here give a view of the qualities of the other lads ?

[Sol thewall Bamba]

1 hour ago, l444ry said:

Wonder if Jon Rudkin will be getting any of the credit for this development?  

We don't know what he's responsible for remember, so we shouldn't comment.

[Tommy G]

6 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Wasn't really given a chance at Dundee

OK, but my point and opinion still stands. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

19 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Why? 

Because he's stalled. I guess if the deal we've offered is low wages then the risk is low but he needs a huge season of he's going to work out here imo.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

8 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Wasn't really given a chance at Dundee

Really? Because looking at his appearance stats for them I'd take the line that he was given a chance (started two of the first three games) and then was phased out the team and was then dropped completely before being sent back.

[FoxesFourLife]

Monga, Mavididi, Alves, Fatawu, Evans I'm really excited for next season hopefully we can get Rohl in who would unleash these players Rudd won't. 

Edited 9 June 2025 by FoxesFourLife

[st albans fox]

7 minutes ago, davieG said:

I'd like to think he's committed to the contract and at that point anyone wanting him then will have to pay a transfer fee of our choosing.

Not sure 

I think it would make a huge difference to any tribunal figure though 

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Really? Because looking at his appearance stats for them I'd take the line that he was given a chance (started two of the first three games) and then was phased out the team and was then dropped completely before being sent back.

Even seasoned pros need more than two games to acclimatise especially in a league completely new to them and even more so in such an influential position.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Just now, davieG said:

Even seasoned pros need more that two games to acclimatise especially in a league completely new to them and even more so in such an influential position.

Agree to disagree but looking at it objectively it's a failed loan to a level much below where we are even after being relegated. It's not like he's particularly young either.

[volpeazzurro]

21 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Wasn't really given a chance at Dundee

A fair comment. It was a very poor I'll thought out move all round.

[Tommy Fresh]

14 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Agree to disagree but looking at it objectively it's a failed loan to a level much below where we are even after being relegated. It's not like he's particularly young either.

I'd argue Harry Kane failed on loan here?

[Tommy Fresh]

22 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Because he's stalled. I guess if the deal we've offered is low wages then the risk is low but he needs a huge season of he's going to work out here imo.

I'm only asking why it's a surprise I never specified I expected him to be playing here, if we shift him in a year's time for a couple of million it's a good deal.

[Ted Maul]

Fair enough, I was resigned to Monga leaving.

 

Genuinely might be the first bit of good news in 2025? 

[kingfox]

Excellent news. Some of these players may go on loan for a bit, but we just need a manager who will give these youngsters the best opportunity to thrive in the coming years. 
 

Developing youth is always important, but with the current situation we find ourselves in, relying on and developing these players feels more important than ever. 

[Bluearmyfox28]

2 hours ago, l444ry said:

Wonder if Jon Rudkin will be getting any of the credit for this development?  

Credit for their development as players? Or credit for getting them signed to new contracts?

 

Because if you’re referencing the first he has nothing to do with it, & if you’re referencing the second then why does he deserve credit for the basic requirement of his job? Sign future talent and keep them at the club. 
 

The fact we even make statements like your post tells you how awful he is at his job. 

[Bluearmyfox28]

2 hours ago, dmayne7 said:

Just go clarify what that means on practice, it essentially means he's treated as though he already has that professional deal so anybody who wants him now, will have to sign him in the way that they would with any pro player (i.e. offering us a few that we deem acceptable).

 

I do wonder whether he has got a very low release clause in there or the pro deal is only a couple of years. But that's something to whinge about another day!

I wouldn’t be surprised if his wages on the pro deal are slightly higher also to make up for the first year as a scholar.

[Bluearmyfox28]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

I'd like to think he's committed to the contract and at that point anyone wanting him then will have to pay a transfer fee of our choosing.

Correct, for the club to announce a future pro contract is included, means that the contract he signed will have that within the details. Meaning he is essentially on a pro contract from now.

 

Should any team sign Monga whilst he’s a scholar a deal wouldn’t be confirmed until he rolls into the professional contract with it being the start of a new season.

 

If that makes sense?