Franca

[CPFCSaturn]

It was claimed a few years ago that a large percentage of professional footballers have their birthdays from September to December simply because in youth football they had 6 or more months growth on other players in their year and so looked more impressive. No idea if that's still true but it wouldn't be a surprise.

Interesting - never heard of that but would love to know if there is a correlation.

 

[Stirlingsays]

Whilst you're right that he stands out physically, it doesn't always work in academy players favour if that is the case.

Kids who develop earlier physically can absolutely dominate games at youth level... not necessarily because they are better players, but because no one can match their physicality.

As they go through the ages and start competing against men, suddenly they are nowhere near as impactful in their performances as they can't exert the same physical dominance, and many struggle to adapt to that.

Not suggesting Mustapha will follow that path, and there are plenty who don't, but it's something the club will no doubt be wary of. I think Ozoh falls into the same category, although his physical dominance does seem to be extending into the men's game from the few Championship games I've seen him play this year - bloke is an absolute unit.

I remember watching a young Victor Moses play against my school team as a teenager, and whilst he was clearly a better player than everyone on the pitch, the main difference was how much faster and stronger he was than anyone else. He scored 6.

The thing is though he's dominating physically at 18 against players on average a couple of years older than him. He's only going to grow and unless that finishes early that above average physicality is only going to translate into the men's game. The fact that he's an attacking player from midfield only makes it even more mouth watering.

 

[Stirlingsays]

That's the thing that's impressed me when I've seen him. A lot of the younger players are too lightweight, but physically he already looks ready for the first-team. I've been tipping him for a while to have a chance of making it with us, similar to when I saw Ozoh playing with the youth teams. Mind you, I didn't see Devenny getting the chances he's had so what do I know!

Totally agree, what impressed me with Devenny was his relative lack of mistakes in U21 games. I remember thinking that he was a tidy midfield player with a future in the game who would do well on loan. I didn't expect the level of advancement in such a small stretch of time, then again once they step up into training with the first team it quickly becomes apparent if they are up to it.

Ozoh seems to be doing very well when he's fit on loan and seems another who has a future, probably elsewhere but who knows.

Mustapha though does look like a special kind of player in the making. He's only going to strengthen physically and from what I've seen it won't be long before he's stepping up.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

The thing is though he's dominating physically at 18 against players on average a couple of years older than him. He's only going to grow and unless that finishes early that above average physicality is only going to translate into the men's game. The fact that he's an attacking player from midfield only makes it even more mouth watering.

You're right - at this stage I think we can be quite confident Mustapha is going to remain a physically dominant player, as Ozoh has done in the Championship.

The fact he's already playing men's football for an African nation is also going to give him some early exposure to some very physically demanding encounters, which should aid his development.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Totally agree, what impressed me with Devenny was his relative lack of mistakes in U21 games. I remember thinking that he was a tidy midfield player with a future in the game who would do well on loan. I didn't expect the level of advancement in such a small stretch of time, then again once they step up into training with the first team it quickly becomes apparent if they are up to it.

Ozoh seems to be doing very well when he's fit on loan and seems another who has a future, probably elsewhere but who knows.

Mustapha though does look like a special kind of player in the making. He's only going to strengthen physically and from what I've seen it won't be long before he's stepping up.

No doubt a consequence of his early exposure to competitive football in Scotland - I can't imagine the Scottish third tier is a very forgiving environment for a young player!

I'm still not quite convinced that Devenny has enough to be more than a back-up/squad player for us, although credit to him for taking the chances he's been given. Would not be surprised if he ends up back in the Scottish Prem and has a good career at that sort of level.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

The chances of youth players making it are incredibly small. About 5 years ago a study found that only 180 of the 1.5m boys playing organised youth football in England will ever play a single minute in the Premier League. That equals 0.012% and the number is probably lower now with more overseas players coming in.

 

[Fatherken]

Who is this thread about ?

 

[Stirlingsays]

No doubt a consequence of his early exposure to competitive football in Scotland - I can't imagine the Scottish third tier is a very forgiving environment for a young player!

I'm still not quite convinced that Devenny has enough to be more than a back-up/squad player for us, although credit to him for taking the chances he's been given. Would not be surprised if he ends up back in the Scottish Prem and has a good career at that sort of level.

A decision will be made on Devenny soon as it's obvious he's going to be a first team player it's just where that is....but at his age he'll need to be playing. I would keep him as I think he's only going to get better and our entire forward line are probably going to be targeted by rival clubs with offers.....including the manager.

It's like crabs in a barrel, where the higher clubs try to cut you off at the knees.....so to speak.

But I'm feeling good about Palace's future.

 

[Stirlingsays]

It was claimed a few years ago that a large percentage of professional footballers have their birthdays from September to December simply because in youth football they had 6 or more months growth on other players in their year and so looked more impressive. No idea if that's still true but it wouldn't be a surprise.

It's true, it really comes down to talent spotting the exception. I asked Grok this kind of question.

Of those who do sign professional only a small fraction sustain careers at the top levels. For example, one X post from 2023 noted that only 10% of former Category 1 academy players (aged 21–26) went on to make more than 20 league appearances in the top four tiers of English football (Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two).

 

[dingledave]

Who is this thread about ?

Oh started out as Franca but devolved into anyone at all for some reason

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Oh started out as Franca but devolved into anyone at all for some reason

What an amazing first post 🤣