19 Oct 2021 10:26:49
Was looking through our U18 and U23 squads with a fellow red yesterday and looking at which players a) have a chance to make it (pure guess work! ) and b) would qualify as HG and CT in the future (based on the current rules. They would all be in the U21 exemption currently.

GK - Kelleher has been with us since 2015 when he was 17 so he will qualify as CT and HG. Pitaluga will also qualify when he reaches 21+. My gut feel is that Kelleher will leave in 2-3 years to be first choice elsewhere and Pitaluga will eventually succeed Alisson. This is purely based on the fact that Alisson has several years left at top flight and Kelleher is too good to be happy to be 2nd choice for the majority of his career

Defence - not sure here. People speak of Koumetia but no idea if he will make the grade or not. If he does then great. If he does, I believe he will qualify as CT and HG. I'm sure TAA will be here for a long time and he is both CT and HG. Between Tsimikas and Robertson we are covered for now, and Beck seems to have a good reputation so far (and an impeccable pedigree! ) and would be both CT and HG so could be the next LB, or at least a rotation option in the future. We also have Neco, but not sure if he will stay as a no 2 to TAA or move on. The closeness of his age to TAA may work against him staying, not dissimilar to Kelleher and Alisson.

Midfield - both Elliot and Jones are both CT and HG and are both, I believe, will form the backbone of our midfield for years to come. The key acquisition for us, imo, would be Bellingham. He wouldn't qualify as CT (AFAIK) if he came in the summer, but would be HG. Anyone else in the youth teams for midfield who could make it? Frauendorf?

Up front we have Gordon who looks fantastic. I hope he continues to grow into the team. Obvs both CT and HG given he joined us at 16. Musialowski, if he makes it, would also be both CT and HG given he joined us before the age of 18.

I know the rules will change in the future, but I imagine they will only get stricter. Obviously, some of the above won't make it (I remember how excited I was about Neil Mellor when he was knocking in 40-50 goals a season in the reserves, but never really made it with us) but I'm encouraged to see the strength in depth we have at youth level.

I'd love Bellingham next year. Between him, Jones and Elliot we would have a great spine to take over from the likes of Hendo, Thiago, Milly etc. I deliberately haven't mentioned Fabs as I'm not sure which of the younger midfielders could actually develop into a No 6 as they mostly seem to be attacking midfielders. Maybe Tyler Morton who had such a good debut last season?

Thoughts appreciated, and also to confirm (maybe by the Eds? ) that my assumptions around CT and HG are correct (obvs once the names mentioned are over 21, for now they can be in every squad as they are under 21)

{Ed002's Note - Looks good to me Z.}

19 Oct 2021 10:48:18
That’s the highest compliment u get right there from 02 mate well done!

19 Oct 2021 11:23:36
I can’t see us being in the running for Bellingham. He’s going to cost upwards of £90m easily and we don’t have that kind of money. Sorry to say it but he’s going to anyone of City, Chelsea, United or even Newcastle. Add him to the long list of players we’ll never see play for us.

19 Oct 2021 11:25:14
Would Bellingham be homegrown? didn think he would be.

19 Oct 2021 12:17:22
Good post.

I think Kelleher moving could happen sooner than we think, unfortunately. At the moment he's behind Bazunu for Ireland, despite being a bit better. Now part of this is because when Randolph got injured, Kelleher was also injured and thus first Travers (who was awful) and then Bazunu were given the opportunities. But he might think it's going to be hard to displace a guy who's playing every week on loan when he's only playing in the cups or when Alisson is unavailable. Bazunu is also younger than Kelleher, so it's not like Kelleher can wait him out.

Morton has been a box to box midfielder for most of his youth career, he only moved to the 6 position this season, I think. Not that you'd have noticed that against Norwich. I'd certainly like to see more of him. Presumably he'll be at least on the bench against Preston.

Clarkson I think was the natural 6 in the youth sides. Will he make it maybe?

19 Oct 2021 11:17:13
I know, right?! That’s made my day ☺️.

Thanks Ed002, some of what you have been trying to teach us all must have seeped through the old grey matter!

{Ed002's Note - So it seems.}

19 Oct 2021 12:37:27
Jadon, yes, I believe Bellingham would be HG when you combine the time he was at Birmingham with the time he will be at a new club (hopefully us! ) if he moves in the summer. If he stays in Germany until he turns 21, then I don't think he will have enough years under his belt to be HG - I don't believe Sancho is HG for the same reason.

{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath for Bellingham.}

19 Oct 2021 14:16:55
He either has a preferred club or we can't afford him. Right Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - There has been no approach from Liverpool.}

19 Oct 2021 14:43:21
Ed002, “Hey Jude” - Liverpool. It just Has to happen mate that’s your approach/ speculation/ interest right there, put the word out and make it happen for us.

19 Oct 2021 17:54:57
Hey Zedd did you write this on your spare time or during work 😉.