When Pele capped Brazil national team's jersey at a very young age, he definitely was not the first shining youngster that football ever seen. He became one of the most shining, perhaps, and still a milestone when it comes to compare the newbies, but they kept on coming.
Then, everyone was looking for their Peles, which were not growing on trees of course. Now is the time of Messi and any promising player is compared to him; will he become the next Messi? Why? Is Messi over already?
As the football market gets more and more aggressive, despite the financial difficulties that the world currently undergoes, the expectations from promising youngsters pile up. They sometimes pile up so high that the weight of it all is unbearable, even unbearable for an experienced player.
Talents like Pele or Messi are not easy to find as mentioned above; they do not grow on trees. It is a matter of education and training from very young ages, but that's not all. You cannot insert flair to a kid who doesn't have it at all. Train him all you want, teach him the game but if he doesn't have the God-given talent, all you will get is a hard-working lad, running his ass off in the field but rarely managing as much a wonder-kid would do.
And the fact is, they should not be expected to, since it is not fair. If you are Messi then you are discovered at the age of 14 and are brought to Spain all the way from Argentina as an investment. You are a project. But if you only are a juggler of the ball with soft ankles and a decent view of the game you can still succeed, you do not need to become a top star playing in Barça, do you?
Players such as Messi do a very bad thing to their coevals. Since finding quality players get more and more difficult, and top-class teams are making a collection of any, everyone is looking at their youngsters. Someone from those racks will come up and save them all! Either by playing until old age in the club, becoming an icon, and running the team from success to success; or just financially, signing one of those majors and bringing a nice revenue to their home team.
Whichever the case is, teenagers are really on the spot lately and thanks to managers like Wenger who build whole Premiership contending team upon them!
Do I say it cynically or honestly, believe me, even I don't know!
8 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Maire Ofeire 6 months ago
I suppose if they're good enough they're old enough
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Baris Gerceker 6 months ago
nice summary :) the thing is, many are expected to be "as good", which in your means, they are treated as if they are "as old"... is it fair to treat a 17 year old kid, like an "old" one? ;)
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Maire Ofeire 6 months ago
Fair point - at Arsenal we expect all 21 year old to play like Fabregas which has put so much pressure on 20 year old Song who god help him is hopeless
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Alex Stamp 6 months ago
Nice piece Baris. I think it depends on the person. A couple of months ago, a respected writer claimed that Bojan Krkic may never reach his full potential simply because he was seen crying after Barcelona drew. There does seem to be a fixation with finding and blooding young players based on the examples of Messi, Rooney, Pele, Maradona etc. But whether youngsters cope or not depends very much on the individual
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Baris Gerceker 6 months ago
who gives anyone the right to play with those kids' minds? it is really very unfair. i get excited before a football game among friends and i am 29 years old. shall a 17 year old kid feel obliged to hide his tears so that such stupid comments would not arise? this is getting inhumane...
on the other hand, being "there" gives many inputs too, fame and fortune simply. some may find the approach of mourinho more sincere, his quotings upon "stress on star players"... i have not heard or read the exact words but it was rougly; "a player living a super star's life, earning millions cannot complain about stress. if you are the single working man in your family who shall bring bread to home at night then you can talk about stress." ok this is a little too populist but there has to be a place in between.
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Alex Stamp 6 months ago
I suppose in the eyes of the teams, and most people-these kids are getting a chance to do what they love, and what millions of people would love to do. Its the nature of the world-those in the public eye are there to be shot at. If they are kids then so what? Its the good enough, old enough scenario-you are old enough to be that good, therefore you are old enough to take the criticisms that are bound to come your way. Its daft really, but its like that in all sports-look at Gymnastics and how hard they push 10-11 year olds in order to succeed
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Anthony Sanchez 6 months ago
Nice piece Baris. I believe players should be left in their own country or club to develop. That would probably mean Manchester United wouldn't have half their team but i won't let that influence my views. Too much pressure and emphasis is put on poaching kids and developing them and the only reason for it is saving money in the long run. Rule on REAL home grown players can't come too soon.
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Baris Gerceker 6 months ago
major clubs want to invest in youngsters at their real early ages and since the market is so aggressive i cannot blame them.
but purchasing a player does not mean you have to take it away immediately.
of course a player's development depends on the facilities as well as coaches and their methods. but still, obtaining a player's services on paper but letting the player keep on playing at his former club under a loan contract may an option. it is randomly done but maybe it should be done a little more.
regulations are upcoming, bosman ruling defies many regulations in a "freedom" point of view but limitations may overrule them locally. we'll have to wait and see...
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