Sorry if I lost you Mr Observer but the clubs actually look at the kid's parents. If the parents are tall, athletic, have a history in playing sports etc.. ..I feel that if they could put the parents thru tests they would do that too. You see they invest a lot of money so they want to make sure that when the kid grows up the kid has desirable characteristics.
the anomolies in the game right now are Messi, Iniesta, Xavi..but what I have learned is that if a player is below 2m in height ...that player must be able to carry his little body as fast or faster than the standard 2m player by moving his legs at a rate of so many revolutions per min... it's actually measured...I think it's 2m correct me but it's about 5ft 9inch would be the shortest they'd like to go with.
Coach you have not lost me at all, genetics and athleticism have long been discussed & debated, especially when it pertains to West Africans and those of West African descent. However, my point is in OUR SPORT it is not the be all and end all. I have spent significant time throughout Europe, Central and South America (in particular Holland). Yes everyone is looking for an edge, but at the end of the day this game has shown that players can come from any back ground (genetic make up) and be effective and successful. As a matter of fact Cruyff recently chastised Dutch football for not producting players beyond what he called Arbitrary Passers of the Ball. He was highly critical of Ajax approach which he felt over emphasized running at a young age. I believe his words were "drop all the rubbish and get back to football on the field." This game has accommodated many small players whom as I said simply have to be evasive, many will argue that the best players the game has seen have been smaller players. All these pro clubs Academy as you well know look at hundreds of players and the truth is less than 45% make it. As you are aware Ajax wants two players per year from its investment. I was at PSV when Afellay was around 15, Koeman & Vanenburg told me that the entire U16 team (18 players) existed for Afellay, because he was the one they felt would make it. Now I believe 3 players went on from that squad to the pro level, two at lower leagues. For all the talk about the Dutch, they are falling behind in the production of players. These things go in cycles, because the truth is no one has a blue print. Presently everyone looking at Belgium & Spain. Beyond the legends you identified for Spain, they also have the likes of Mata, Silva, Villa, Cazola, Isco, Callejon the list goes on
What Mr Sherwood is doing is light years away from what we are discussing, let him do his thing & maybe just maybe, like Bertil, he will find a diamond in the rough that gets the break which will allow him to flourish in the game. Mr Sherwood just do your thing.
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Everything in a dam mess.
Coops Defense Force was the toughest team in football, they would beat you and beat you up physically. People would be bias as well, but DF also played good football. In the late 60's through the 70's, T&T had many glamour teams. Football at that time was more about individuals & entertainment. Deeks call out a name I long forgot Howell, like Godfrey Harris & Cave he was a penalty box poacher. Dam! I miss those times.
