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

[Ric Flair]

Just now, Aleksz said:

Getting to the phase where even Otchere is worth a look

Got something about him, been impressed with him the few times I've seen us this season. 

[Ryy]

1 minute ago, Aleksz said:

Getting to the phase where even Otchere is worth a look

With Evans going on loan he should be 3rd choice 

[Rubbersoul]

Hutchinson barely had a sniff at RW 

[Charnyst]

French looks a useful keeper excellent control and kicking ! 
Donnelly looks useful 

Nice to see some effort and running 

[Rubbersoul]

Donnelly started off at RB and looked completely lost but once he was back in midfield he played pretty well I thought. Bags of energy 

Edited 26 January by Rubbersoul

[Terraloon]

57 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

Or because like Man City they hoover up the most talented kids.

Having a Cat 1 academy enables clubs to cast the net but LCFC in my mind can’t / don’t operate in the same way. Only today Chelsea spent £500k on a youngster . 
 

Watching that game tonight I would say that at best a couple of Leicesters players may be ready for at best a loan at say National League possibly EFL 2 level whereas. Chelsea had several players who are ready for EFL loans possibly even at Championship . 

 

 

[coolhandfox]

12 minutes ago, Terraloon said:

Having a Cat 1 academy enables clubs to cast the net but LCFC in my mind can’t / don’t operate in the same way. Only today Chelsea spent £500k on a youngster . 
 

Watching that game tonight I would say that at best a couple of Leicesters players may be ready for at best a loan at say National League possibly EFL 2 level whereas. Chelsea had several players who are ready for EFL loans possibly even at Championship .

100% they have the money and the pulling power.

 

We need to provide the best pathway to first team football, and a shop window.

[Kilworthfox]

6 minutes ago, Terraloon said:

Having a Cat 1 academy enables clubs to cast the net but LCFC in my mind can’t / don’t operate in the same way. Only today Chelsea spent £500k on a youngster . 
 

Watching that game tonight I would say that at best a couple of Leicesters players may be ready for at best a loan at say National League possibly EFL 2 level whereas. Chelsea had several players who are ready for EFL loans possibly even at Championship . 

 

 

Having a cat 1 academy just means the minimum finances you must commit to each season.

 

Cat 1 academies always play each other. 

 

Cat 2 academies play each other until u14 then they don't play cat 1 any longer. 

 

Cat 3 just play cat 3 

 

All clubs have the same restrictions travel area wise. 

 

These are the basics. Finances, facilities and opportunity play a massive part in attracting players. 

 

The clubs with massive  budgets can move a family in order for them to be within their catchment. It's totally unethical but it happens. We don't do this. 

 

When judging the players, please take in to account their ages, against their competitors. At Leicester we don't look to produce National League players for example. 

 

We have teenagers playing in the championship. They will be superstars! 

[Ian S]

First trip to Seagrave tonight,had forgotten what is what like to see a Leicester team give it 100% even if second best for large parts.Bit surprised we took Golding off so early as whilst he wasn’t great we definitely lost something when he went off.

Chelsea had some very good players, a couple look real prospects to be top players in the future.I will be very interested to see if they do make top level.

[Terraloon]

34 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

Having a cat 1 academy just means the minimum finances you must commit to each season.

 

Cat 1 academies always play each other. 

 

Cat 2 academies play each other until u14 then they don't play cat 1 any longer. 

 

Cat 3 just play cat 3 

 

All clubs have the same restrictions travel area wise. 

 

These are the basics. Finances, facilities and opportunity play a massive part in attracting players. 

 

The clubs with massive  budgets can move a family in order for them to be within their catchment. It's totally unethical but it happens. We don't do this. 

 

When judging the players, please take in to account their ages, against their competitors. At Leicester we don't look to produce National League players for example. 

 

We have teenagers playing in the championship. They will be superstars! 

 

36 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

Having a cat 1 academy just means the minimum finances you must commit to each season.

 

Cat 1 academies always play each other. 

 

Cat 2 academies play each other until u14 then they don't play cat 1 any longer. 

 

Cat 3 just play cat 3 

 

All clubs have the same restrictions travel area wise. 

 

These are the basics. Finances, facilities and opportunity play a massive part in attracting players. 

 

The clubs with massive  budgets can move a family in order for them to be within their catchment. It's totally unethical but it happens. We don't do this. 

 

When judging the players, please take in to account their ages, against their competitors. At Leicester we don't look to produce National League players for example. 

 

We have teenagers playing in the championship. They will be superstars! 

Worth a read of this because being a Cat 1 really is advantageous 

https://thepfsa.co.uk/understanding-the-english-football-academy-category-system-under-the-elite-player-performance-plan-eppp/

[Terraloon]

5 minutes ago, Ian S said:

First trip to Seagrave tonight,had forgotten what is what like to see a Leicester team give it 100% even if second best for large parts.Bit surprised we took Golding off so early as whilst he wasn’t great we definitely lost something when he went off.

Chelsea had some very good players, a couple look real prospects to be top players in the future.I will be very interested to see if they do make top level.

A lot won’t but there a was a stat doing the rounds that something like 98% of youngsters in academy football never get to play in a first team game.

 

 

[Kilworthfox]

50 minutes ago, Terraloon said:

 

Worth a read of this because being a Cat 1 really is advantageous 

https://thepfsa.co.uk/understanding-the-english-football-academy-category-system-under-the-elite-player-performance-plan-eppp/

I am aware mate 👍🏻

 

The PFSA are cowboys btw 

[ACF]

50 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

I am aware mate 👍🏻

 

The PFSA are cowboys btw 

Think you’d know more than most mate 😂

[Kilworthfox]

7 hours ago, ACF said:

Think you’d know more than most mate 😂

I think I drafted my first sentence poorly. 

I wasn't suggesting being cat 1 was of no significance.

Keep calm, the conveyor belt will keep delivering I promise. 

[Rubbersoul]

9 hours ago, Terraloon said:

A lot won’t but there a was a stat doing the rounds that something like 98% of youngsters in academy football never get to play in a first team game.

 

 

Being a player in the academy system honestly seems brutal 

[Kilworthfox]

8 minutes ago, Rubbersoul said:

Being a player in the academy system honestly seems brutal 

 

You can prove anything with numbers. I'd suggest over 99% of professional footballers have been through an academy.

 

 

[Rubbersoul]

2 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

 

You can prove anything with numbers. I'd suggest over 99% of professional footballers have been through an academy.

 

 

You’re completely right, just thinking about the pressure they’re under at such a young age

[ALC Fox]

I'd say 7 goals in 7 games is enough to give Otchere a shot from the bench. See how his movement is and how he links up.

 

If there are concerns about his all-round game (like supposedly with Hutchinson) it's worth bearing in mind that he is playing with other academy players.

 

And there's an old saying that sometimes you just don't know how a player will do until you throw them in.

 

His form deserves a promotion, especially considering how our first team forwards are currently misfiring.

[ACF]

1 hour ago, Kilworthfox said:

I think I drafted my first sentence poorly. 

I wasn't suggesting being cat 1 was of no significance.

Keep calm, the conveyor belt will keep delivering I promise. 

Nah I’m with you mate, just laughing at people trying to tell you of all people otherwise

[Kilworthfox]

2 hours ago, Rubbersoul said:

You’re completely right, just thinking about the pressure they’re under at such a young age

Never any pressure from the club or staff, that would be highly counter productive. I'd say there are standards that must be respected however. 

 

I think the main pressures are usually from self or family wanting to succeed. Which is naturally understandable. Sometimes that can be a frustration as progress can be stunted by negative pressures. The club & Academy has a safeguarding team and staff to talk to for a plethora of issues. 

Edited 27 January by Kilworthfox

[Rubbersoul]

57 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

Never any pressure from the club or staff, that would be highly counter productive. I'd say there are standards that must be respected however. 

 

I think the main pressures are usually from self or family wanting to succeed. Which is naturally understandable. Sometimes that can be a frustration as progress can be stunted by negative pressures. The club & Academy has a safeguarding team and staff to talk to for a plethora of issues. 

How much of deciding when a player is ready for the jump to senior football is decided by how they can handle it mentally? I imagine that has to play a significant role 

[Kilworthfox]

48 minutes ago, Rubbersoul said:

How much of deciding when a player is ready for the jump to senior football is decided by how they can handle it mentally? I imagine that has to play a significant role 

 

If I knew that, I would tell you, but I don't.

[Rubbersoul]

1 minute ago, Kilworthfox said:

 

If I knew that, I would tell you, but I don't.

Fair enough haha 

[Kilworthfox]

1 minute ago, Rubbersoul said:

Fair enough haha 

I would guess that over the period of time, and judging by performances at various levels, that the player would give you a strong indication to how a player would cope with each jump. 

 

Remember, that special talents are often played above their age group in every academy. Usually 1 up or down. To strive or struggle. This is part of development. However at the level you are wanting me to give you an opinion at, it isn't about development anymore, its about 3 points. The first team in any club, is the only age group where winning is the main aim. So with this may bring new pressures and unexpected results. Some will thrive, some wont, that's life.

 

I'd suggest any player representing their country at various levels gives you the hope to justify including them at higher levels. Yet if you consider the players who can play for the u18s or u21s for their country but never "make it" big the chances really aren't lets say 99% anymore. So it is difficult to say as nobody has it right everytime.

[Ryy]