Just so I can get an idea of who to watch for, could someone who watches the u23s please make a team up of the most promising? leaving out those players that have made a 1st team appearance. Cheers
I'll give it a whirl Gk - Adam Parkes (17) England u16, signed pro in December RB - Yan Valery (18) capped for France u17, signed pro last Feb CB - Alfie Jones (19) won academy player of the year 15/16 and has captained u23s CB - Aaron O'Driscoll (18) u18 capt and signed pro last year LB - Jake Vokins (17) England u17 player and first to play u23 level born this century CM - Callum Slattery (18) In the Toulon tournament and been a sort after academy player for some time CM - Thomas O'Connor (18) ROI youth international CM - Will Smallbone (17) most famous for his strike against Man Utd in this years FA Youth Cup WNG - Tyreke Johnston (18) Signed pro last year and has been on fringes of u23s WNG - Nathan Tella (17) Recent arrival from Arsenal and scored & got sent off in the last u23 game at Man City ST - Jonathan Afolabi (17) has started to get more u23 appearances and has scored already at that level. Most of these are u18 as the majority of u23 players have either played first team or don't look like they'll make the breakthrough at this time.
was just about to hit post on mine when you posted. yours is better so deleted it I really struggled with attacking players as most already have a first team appearance. I would have Cook alongside Jones at CB, but Jones is obviously the one to watch. Valery and Slattery being the other two i would highlight as people close to breaking through. i was having a hard time chosing a 3rd CM alongside Slattery and O'Connor and went with Little. Other than that its the same as mine. Vokins looks a prospect for the future, was playing for the u21's at 15. We just seem to have so few u23's without first team appearances right now that it becomes more of a 'pick the best u18 players'
The more picks the better I don't really hear about types of injuries at academy level, but I've left out the lads who have suffered prolonged absences. Barnes, Wood & Little. Hopefully their injury records won't harm their future in the game. Cook is a player I've seen a bit of and I've personally not rated. Although I didn't rate Chambers much at that age and he has carved out a career for himself
If you look at message #91 on the Matt Targett thread, I posted a first attempt of a project to list the players that are current in the squad. It is only the first draft but may help to work out who is who. It needs more research and will change before the new season kicks in.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-06-04/callum-slattery-england-toulon-tournament-japan-preview England (hopefully with Slattery) are playing Japan in the Toulon Tournament....but are already in the semis having won their first two games.