2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[pablo_picasso]

He has a great name but then again so did Dan Crowley and look what happened to him...

Was he the biggest let down in terms of unfulfilled potential down the years? I remember loads of talk about Stephen? Cooke back in the day but didn't happen for him

Biggest let down for me in terms of unfulfilled potential out of any academy player was Nathan Delfouneso.

He had everything to his game. Height, strength, pace, touch, skill, finishing ability, etc, etc.

Good shout. Took me a lot longer than it should have done to accept that he wasn't going to become the next Didier Drogba.

Now not scoring for AFC Fylde in the National League.

Yeah, it took me a while to accept he wasn't going to make it too, & I had the knowledge of his attitude at the same time.

I think what it does say, as OCD mentions, that the people around a young player can play a huge part in their development, sometimes almost as much as their ability...

[Gareth]

The people around young players have such a big role to play in their development.

Exactly, too many vested interests who want £‘s to flow their way too soon…ruined many a career…see Chukwuemeka…tho I suspect we have probably employed same tactics with some of the youngsters we’ve recruited

[LeeB]

I'm not a fan of young Chucky but that's unfair to him really, he's 19 and was starting and scoring for Chelsea the other week before getting injured, it's not like he's now on loan in the Dutch 2nd division or anything, and there's nothing really to suggest he's a wrong 'un in any way, his contract was coming up and his stock was high so he exploited it. The evidence was that another team, an established Champions League side at the time, we're willing to pay £20m to get him before everyone else.

The point is valid but he's not the best example.

[VillaTim]

I think Chucky will develop into a decent player and regularly play for England

[LeeB]

Yeah, I do too.

Plus he's probably worked out that being 'young Chelsea player' means at least 5 caps regardless of progress.

[PeterWithesShin]

Two of the biggest for me as youth players are Luke Moore and Gary Gardner.

Moore should have made it to a very decent career, instead he peaked at 20 and had retired before he was 30 having done very little for nearly a decade.

And seeing what would have become of GG if he hadn't had the 2 ACL injuries.

[pablo_picasso]

Two of the biggest for me as youth players are Luke Moore and Gary Gardner.

Moore should have made it to a very decent career, instead he peaked at 20 and had retired before he was 30 having done very little for nearly a decade.

And seeing what would have become of GG if he hadn't had the 2 ACL injuries.

Gardner was gutting.

Especially as his wasn't down to attitude.

I remember a Youth Cup game at Villa Park against Cheltenham (I think), where he scored a perfect hat-trick & absolutely ran the show.

To think what could have been...

[brontebilly]

Two of the biggest for me as youth players are Luke Moore and Gary Gardner.

Moore should have made it to a very decent career, instead he peaked at 20 and had retired before he was 30 having done very little for nearly a decade.

And seeing what would have become of GG if he hadn't had the 2 ACL injuries.

Luke started very well under MON but always struck me as being bone idle lazy and not bothered about his career. Did well to get 5m or whatever for him when he left. Injuries ruined GG for sure, still playing for some team.

[Dante Lavelli]

The fact we signed Chuk’s brother for “£1m” (despite no obvious talent) suggests there’s an entourage of people with a keen interest in his (their) career. 
That doesn’t mean he cannot make it but I suspect he’d be better off with out them.

[AV84]

Is it Luke Moore's son that's in the academy at the moment?

[Exeter 77]

Stefan's son I think.

[Brazilian Villain]

Didn't see this one coming. https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1701330722085044734

[Lastfootstamper]

Didn't see this one coming. https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1701330722085044734

What in the what now? Eh? Nahhh. No? What?

[Lastfootstamper]

The fact we signed Chuk’s brother for “£1m” (despite no obvious talent) suggests there’s an entourage of people with a keen interest in his (their) career. 
That doesn’t mean he cannot make it but I suspect he’d be better off with out them.

Neil Rioch, Alan Little. Nothing new.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Didn't see this one coming. https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1701330722085044734

What in the what now? Eh? Nahhh. No? What?

He did play in the NL so ticks all Ten Hags boxes. I'd take Sancho off their hands, good player at the wrong club.