When you look at players like ESR and Saka who were in the academy from at least the age of 9, I’ve never known a top player to be recruited in to an academy at the age of 16 and make it to the prem for example. The difference I noticed when I played with academy players was their advanced understanding of the game (drilled in by their coaches). It was like they had cheat codes, they knew what to do. I’d definitely say coaching is a big part of it, talent needs to be nurtured correctly.
I’d say they’d go hand in hand. I never even got scouted until I had a great coach (who took it a bit too seriously) along with a few other teammates. Low and behold that coach was an academy boy too hence he had that knowledge to share.
When you look at players like ESR and Saka who were in the academy from at least the age of 9, I’ve never known a top player to be recruited in to an academy at the age of 16 and make it to the prem for example. The difference I noticed when I played with academy players was their advanced understanding of the game (drilled in by their coaches). It was like they had cheat codes, they knew what to do. I’d definitely say coaching is a big part of it, talent needs to be nurtured correctly.
I’d say they’d go hand in hand. I never even got scouted until I had a great coach (who took it a bit too seriously) along with a few other teammates. Low and behold that coach was an academy boy too hence he had that knowledge to share.