England youth feature.

Futbol.Jan 2018 England’s 2022 World Cup XI INSIDE. What’s it like Playing in America? MONEY AMBITION AGENTS SUCCESS COACHING TALENT HOW CAN ENGLAND TURN YOUTH SUCCESS INTO SENIOR GLORY?

Brazil vs. England - What’s the difference? CONTENTS

EDITORS LETTER @SeanMcPolin1

Hello and welcome to the first issue of 2018! It was an outstanding ENGLAND’S year for English football last year, with the young lions stepping up BEST AND WORST and showing the senior side how to win a major internationl tournament. Phil WORLD CUP Foden and Angel Gomez lead the U17’s to World Cup glory in Kolkata after an emphatic final against Spain. The U20’s side MEMORIES battled out a 1-0 win over Venezula in South Korea, thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal. So, what’s been holding the England senior men’s team back for half a decade? You’ve probably got the jist now, and have realised we’ll be looking at the youth set-up in England, WHAT IS DNA? how it compares to other successful countries and where exactly we could be going wrong as a footballing nation. One man who think he can answer the question is FA Technical Director Dan Ashworth, the creator of the DNA PROBLEMS WITH programme that has been heralded as the backbone of the England youth teams success.We have some terrific insight from international journalist Jack Lang as well as some YOUTH FOOTBALL analysis of the England set up from youth football expert and Blearcher Report journalist Sam Tighe. Make sure you keep an eye out for some great insight into the stories of two young footballers who have been through the academy system and have both ended up in very different places... literally. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. +MORE! DISTRAUGHT - 1990 ENGLAND HEARTBREAK A tireless England battled their way to the 1990 semi-final where they faced long-term rivals West Germany. Paul Gascoigne, the youngest England player grabbed the headlines after his emotional reaction to being booked and realising he would be out of the final, if England made it.

HAND OF GOD - 1986 England faced Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Mexico. A match where Maradona would become a lifelong enemy of every Englishman. In the 51st minute Maradona broke the deadlock when the Argentine deceived referee Ali Bin Nasser by knocking the ball past 6ft1 England keeper Peter Shilton using his hand.

FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 1 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 2 England’s u17s won the World Cup during an emphatic display against Spain.

IS THIS THE FUTURE GOLDEN GENERATION? England’s youth teams won two World Cups in 2017, so is English youth football at the best it’s ever been for years? Sean McPolin investigates why these young teams are performing better than the senior team.

ifty two years. No, that’s not the ‘DNA’ scheme for England teams and had no real consistency, I felt it was lots of how long Brexit will take. It’s coaches. The former West Bromwich Albion separate teams rather than one joined up the emotional and stressful wait Director of Football joined the FA in 2012. ‘club’.” us football fans have endured “We felt it was important to put down DNA seems to be having some very since England last won an some consistency in how our teams played, positive effects on the England teams. You internationalF tournament. we coached, we supported. A consistent only have to look as far as the previously The 1966 triumph was one of my profile of an England player for Talent ID mentioned results and World Cup triumphs, grandfather’s first memories of the and a “who we are” element to get the but how much of these successes are down World Cup, my father’s was the infamous players connected to playing for England.” to a ‘good bunch of players’ or, whisper Maradona ‘hand of god’ that as an Ashworth said when asked why DNA was it, “golden generation”. Will the younger Englishman we simply cannot speak about. developed. players coming through the international Whilst my first World Cup memory was He continued: “It helped with movement youth system be just as good as a result of David Beckham slotting a penalty straight through the pathway and get consistency DNA? What about grassroot players? Are down the middle in a 1-0 win against with our teams. It also allowed us to they being taught the same principles as Argentina at the 2002 World Cup. connect our teams with Coach Education DNA? It’s not been fun being an England fan pathway and therefore the rest of the if you were born after 1966. Especially game.” in the last decade, it’s become nearly The current batch of England’s youth excruciating to watch England. teams are feeling the full effect of the DNA Despite the disappointment, thrills and system, and the former Norwich City youth well, mainly disappointment, English youth player thinks the 10-year-plan is already football is at its most successful for many showing great results. years. The Under 20s and Under 17s sides “We are starting to see improved became world champions in South Korea performances and results. The results in and India respectively. So, why are the kids 2017 have been incredible, we now need to performing so well? keep this going and transfer it to the senior Dan Ashworth is a Technical Director at teams.” He said. the FA and was responsible for instigating “It was a 10 year plan. England teams FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 3 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 4 Steven Gerrard currently coaches the Liverpool U18s squad. (L-R) Rodriguez, Shaw, Lallana, Ward-Prowse and Lambert were all apart of Southampton’s youth squads. THE WHO WE HOWHOW WEWE FUTURE ARE PLAYPLAY ENGLAND PLAYER

NA seems to be having some very positive effects on the England teams. You only have to look as far as the previously mentioned results and World Cup triumphs, but how much of these successesD are down to a ‘good bunch of players’ HOW WE HOW WE KIDS CAN BE RUINED BY GIVING THEM TOO MUCH TOO or, whisper it, “golden generation”. Will the younger “ players coming through the international youth SUPPORT SOON. KIDS CAN BE RUINED BY GETTING AGENTS. system be just as good as a result of DNA? What COACH about grassroot players? Are they being taught the ” same principles as DNA? With the exciting ascendance of youth football in much too soon. Kids can be ruined by getting an England; a high output of first team quality players agent too soon. Kids can be ruined by parents being and a newly developed ‘England style’ through DNA, seemingly impossible for teams to give youth a too strong and too forceful. But unfortunately they is the 2018 World Cup too soon to expect a massive “Minutes” is essentially the key word when it chance. Would Sir now be given the are situations in the game that are going to be very result at a senior level of football? Sam Tighe, a comes to youngsters. The amount of growth and few years he needed to build a world beating team difficult to change moving forwards, because every journalist for Bleacher Report specialising in tactical development there for the taking in those first 50 created around the Class of 92’? Probably not. club wants to get the best players.” analysis and youth football thinks it’s too early to senior games can never be matched by playing Clubs that were once heralded for their youth Doron Salomon is an agent at Base Soccer, a expect any sort of success. Under-23 or youth football, and it’s always best if production have had to slam the brakes on to focus football agency that cater from academy players to Sam said: “2017 was an incredible year for those first 50 come before the player turns 23. Get on staying afloat. Sam reflects on the cut-throat stars such as Aaron Ramsey. England’s youth teams, but we simply cannot expect out there, grow as a player, and as a man.” nature of the , saying: Doron believes there is a misconception about this to correlate into senior success so soon. Sam said. “Every season there are now 12-14 clubs football agents. However, he does highlight two big “Gareth Southgate’s not silly; he’s not about to reported focused on one mission: don’t get challenges in representing youth footballers these throw Phil Foden (U17) and Mason Mount (U19) - two in 2012 that there has relegated, because it will cost you days, and yeah, you guessed it: social media and players with only a handful of senior appearances been a 1,500% rise in hundreds of millions. money. between them - into the fire and see what happens. player’s wages over “That creates an intensity “It’s been well documented that there are some “We’re going to have to wait at least two more the last 20 years. from the chairman, puts the young players earning vast sums of money before years before expecting these truly exceptional young Senior footballers manager in a situation where they’ve even played senior football. So trying to players to set about ending our trophy drought.” are earning he feels risks simply cannot balance earning potential with the correct career Clubs youth academies have a huge role to play in £100,000 a week be taken. Even Southampton decisions is tricky. Social media is a real problem. vs. Jorge Mendes the development of a possible future England player, for sitting on the have taken steps away from the It doesn’t take long to find footballers aged 12 or but they’ve come under scrutiny over the past years bench. But perhaps youth promotion model that has 13 with over 10,000 followers on Instagram now. for not having enough ‘graduates’ kick on and play the greatest effect is on served them so incredibly well over Keeping young footballers level-headed whilst NET WORTH regularly first team football at the highest level. players in the youth set ups? the years. They’re hovering above the they’re on social media can be hard work.” The Chelsea, one of the leading powerhouses in world Previously earning £100 pound relegation zone at the time of writing, so we football agent said before adding that there are a lot £28 £888 football arguably have the best youth set up in the a week, some now earn up to £10,000 a week. Sam know which route they’ll take as they aim for safety.” of responsibilities for agents and money isn’t always country after a £20milllion investment. However, Tighe doesn’t buy the ‘youth player takes their foot off In BT Sports recent documentary ‘No Hunger In the frontrunner. they currently have 24 players on loan from their the gas with loads of money’ hokum. Paradise’, Joey Barton and Steven Gerrard shared “First and foremost, I believe it’s to offer advice. million million He said: “It’s fairly easy for fans to read reports similar views on the astonishing amount of money academy. So, how is this loan system affecting There’s a responsibility as a trusted advisor to EXPERIENCE youngsters and would they benefit from getting of Loftus-Cheek’s fat wage packet, watch him swan some youngsters are getting, suggesting something help them through those moments, and that could playing time lower down the leagues? around not tracking back in a pre-season game, and be done to stop it. be anything from not being offered a professional 26 21 “It’s taken a long time, but players and agents are draw the conclusion that he’s taken his foot off the The former Burnley captain said: “At seventeen contract to dealing with hype and hysteria around a now becoming wary of what becomes of young talent gas, but I don’t really buy it. or eighteen-years-old, there’s not much you need. first team debut. Whilst the clubs will guide young at Chelsea - even if you’re the cream of the crop. “Footballers who make it to 18 years of age and You’re living at home with your mum and dad or players we also do what we can to help young players years years Ruben Loftus-Cheek got stuck in the system, as did are still with a professional club can be counted living in digs. [If] you’ve got anything over four, five, understand what it takes to be a professional and we CLIENTS Dominic Solanke, and their careers have undoubtedly among the most dedicated and committed people on six hundred quid, it’s only going get you in trouble, in try to keep their feet on their ground which can be stalled as a result. the planet. Out of millions and millions who strive to the bookies, stupid clothes or stupid watches. It’s not difficult in the social media world we now live in.” “There’s a clear success story in the form of play at the professional level, this is what’s left; these going to go on your football development.” So maybe the structure, money crazed and results Andreas Christensen, who joined at 16, played in the are the players who sold their souls to make it, and Ex-England skipper and Liverpool legend Steven driven intensity of English football is the anchor that FA Youth Cup, spent two years on loan and is now a it wasn’t all to get one contract and say “OK, that’s Gerrard was critical of players getting agents too weighs our national side down. It could just be that starting first-teamer. But for every Christensen there enough for me.” soon and believes young players are welcomed into other countries have better footballers? But we won’t have been 15 failures - think Christian Atsu, Nathan With the evolving world of football, a sport that has ‘too nice’ of an environment. have that! Ake etc. become results based and money driven it’s become He said: “Kids can be ruined by giving them too

FUTBOL.COMFUTBOL.COM - - JAN JAN 2018 2018 - - PAGE PAGE 5 9 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 6 PENALTY DISASTER

PENALTIES, AGAIN. (1990) The country was already hurt from seeing Gazza burt into tears after the realisation he wouldn’t play in the final, if England made it. The game was tied at 1-1 and the game headed to penalties. Gary Lineker summed up what happened next: “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 7 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 8 Brazilian trio Coutinho, Neymar and Jesus.

Brazil and football icon: Pele. ack Lang has travelled around the world reporting from non-league football to South American derby matches. The self-proclaimed ‘Brazilophile’ explained the differences between English football and the general youth set up in Brazil that helped them become five-time World Cup winners. HeJ said: “Brazil obviously do something right: no country in the world exports more players and the Champions League is peppered with Brazilians. Yes, the population is huge (200million plus), so you’d expect there to be a decent number of good players, and there’s no doubt there is something about the Brazilian way of learning the game – in streets, on sketchy pitches etc. – trains kids to be inventive and hardy. But it would be a bit reductive to reduce that all too natural talent. There are a lot of people who know how to turn raw ability into something that can cut it at the top level. “At the same time, it’s not all perfect: the conditions some of these kids face, even at professional clubs, aren’t always ideal, lodgers piled into dorm rooms, for instance, and there isn’t always much pastoral care, meaning that those who fall through the cracks fall harder than kids might in England.” After Phillippe Coutinhos recent transfer to the Catalan giants Barcelona for an astonishing £142million, he joins Neymar in the top two most expensive footballers in world football. Both of them came through the youth ranks of the Seleção and are now at the pinnacle of their profession at two of the biggest clubs in the world. So how does the nurturing of youth players in Brazil differ to English football? “It mainly boils down to the clubs taking care of their own interests. Youth development is a big focus, but primarily as an income stream: the vast majority of Brazilian clubs are in debt and need to bring youngsters througTalance the books. Youth players also get more opportunities in senior football, and earlier, for two reasons: the best players leave before their best years, so there can be a talent gap below the veterans, and because playing kids is one way for managers to get fans onside. Even Jake Eggleton (below and right), playing for West Ham’s academy. at the biggest teams, there’s usually a teenager or two knocking on the door, which isn’t always the case in England.”Only 1% of players who enter academy football make a living from the game, according to ‘No Hunger in Paradise’. An incredibly sobering statistic for any aspiring footballer that leaves plenty of questions. Footballers as young as eight-years-old dream of playing professional football, but the chances are extremely slim. Jake Eggleton is a laid back young man who has tasted failure a few times in his journey into football. He started off at Ebbsfleet United, now in the fifth tier of English football, where he joined as a five-year-old. He got his first taste of academy football as a nine-year-old when he took on Charlton Athletic in a friendly, a match that saw him scouted by the London club. His dream quickly collapsed on him after six months when he was released by the ‘Addicks’. Jake returned to his first club after the heartbreak, but like the majority of academy players that get dropped, he persevered with the hope of making it to the top of the football ladder. At the age of 10 Jake was scouted during another friendly match, this time it was West Ham United Academy that wanted his talents. He completed a six-week trial before he officially signed for the Hammers. Six years later Eggleton was still at the club, but at the age of 16 he was able to sign a two-year scholarship and get paid. Maidstone United establised their academy in 2010. But chances to progress at West Ham were becoming harder and harder. Two years later Jake and his agent made the decision to leave the club in search of more minutes, something he felt would give him ‘a better chance of playing’. “I Rivaldo and Ronaldo after winning the World Cup. thought my dream was over.” Now at Hendon FC, a non-league a large focus for young players. side Jake trains full-time at “I have had a young player from an academy say to me that he only plays football Wycombe Wanderers who anymore because it pays the bills. This approach I believe is wrong and feel money play in League 2, and hopes to cannot be the sole motivation to play football.” break into the first team. For some aspiring players they come to a quick realisation that English football is one Despite the rocky road and of the hardest to break into, so opt to move abroad. And why not? It’s what the majority turbulent career the 19-year- of footballing talents do. CIES Football Observatory found that 59.9% of Premier League old believes academy football footballers are from overseas, compared to the 11.7% of top flight players being academy as helped him as a player. graduates. “It helped me understand England’s Eric Dier left for a life in Portugal with Sporting when he was a some of the sacrifices you need youngster. So what’s it like for English players that try to learn their trade abroad? “Also the age for gaining professional deals out he found himself in a cycle of meaningless defiantly be a good opportunity for some players to to make to become a professional Sam Fairwether-Oates is starting his new life in America, currently in Florida training here is much higher than at home, at my age of 19 loans to nearby clubs. gain professional deals or at least try. footballer, as from an early age with Chivas, he decided he ‘needed to do something extra to better himself as a player’. many in the UK would consider me as past it and Despite the young defenders unlucky time “It all depends on circumstances and who you I was training 5 times a week so He’s excited about what the future holds as we sit and chat in The Goose, his local. not going to get another chance. Whereas over there in youth football, he urges any players also know as well as going abroad with no contacts or couldn’t do all the things that my Although, it’s probably the last time he’ll have a drink for a while. He knows opportunities playing at 22 is considered young.” struggling to take a risk and try their luck in anything can be very difficult, but if you do have friends were doing at the time.” in England are limited, and he thinks he’ll have a better chance out in the states. Sam started football at the age of nine and has a another country. the right contacts then going abroad can be very Jake expressed, before adding he “The opportunities out there are something which many English players don’t realise, similar tale to Jake’s. He joined Maidstone United’s “If playing in England does not work out beneficial for players.” Sam said. isn’t surprised money has become football is an up and coming game here and is getting great amounts of fans who are youth squad and when things weren’t working out for players then maybe looking abroad would beginning to gain interest in the sport.

FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 10 ENGLAND REVENGE

BECKS SEES RED REVENGE (2002) Four years on from Beckham’s (1998) embarassment at the 1998 World David Beckham became an Cup he captained England to enemy of the nation in 1998, their first win over Argentina at when he received a red card for the World Cup since 1966. Diego a petulant kick on now Atletico Simeone, the player Becks kicked Madrid manager Diego Simeone in 1998 to see red, looks on as the in the 47th minute. 2-1 up at the Three Lions man slots home in the time, Argentina went on to win on 44th minute against their Group F penalties. rivals.

FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 11 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 12 1% of footballers who enter academy football make it profesionally. oshua Bray is a Level two coach at Pro and no way is better than another. However, Soccer Academy, one of the leading football English football, certainly the national team just Jacademies in the UK. He coaches a range seem to look to copy the biggest nations rather of ages from six to sixteen and believes coaching than look to develop their own style of football. “ The FA’s DNA programme is a decent idea, but plays a key role in the outcome of a player. “Coaching is essential in youth football because how does it help players or coaches at grassroots COACHING IS ultimately the aim is for these players to make their level? It’s designed to make for a style that’s way all the way through academies into senior adaptable for already established players. It teams. However, there is a big distinction from won’t help the development of players that aren’t youth football into senior football in terms of the being scouted every week.” way they are coached. Ultimately, by the time it We’ve found a lot to be optimistic about this comes to senior football, the focus is winning rather year. England teams are winning something! It than an individual’s development. may not be the senior team, but it’s definitely ESSENTIAL IN a start. It’s something we’re not used to as “When coaching I find it important to work on a young player’s technical ability more than anything. a country, and hopefully we’ll nurture it into Understanding of the game is something that can something special. be developed in a player’s later years but at the So, the only things we need to focus on for the ENGLAND XI FOR infant age, components such as dribbling, passing young England lions to succeed is: avoid money YOUTH and control are vital to attempt to master before ruining football, improve coaching, crack down learning any of the tactical side of the game.” on social media and adapt them to the lack of Josh said, before arguing that DNA doesn’t help opportunities and cut throat nature of football. QATAR 2022 grassroots coaches and players. Well, at least that narrows it down. “I think that English football has struggled for Maybe there is no hope. Maybe England an identity for a long time now in terms of style of have plunged into a cyclone of failure and FOOTBALL football. Every coach has their own way of playing disappointment. Or, maybe we’re just shit at football? One thing is for sure, win, draw or lose, we’ll be wearing our lucky England 90’ replica shirt with a smaller glimmer of World Cup PICKFORD ” success in the back of our minds this summer.

STERLING GOMEZ CHALOBAH SESSEGNON

DIER WILSHERE

SANCHO FODEN RASHFORD

KANE

Josh Bray, Pro Soccer Academy coach FUTBOL.COMFUTBOL.COM - JAN - JAN2018 2018 - PAGE - PAGE 13 13 (left andright) FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 14 HEARTBREAK... AGAIN. LAMPARD’S GHOST GOAL (2010) England faced their long time rivals Germany, again, in the round of 16 after failing to win their group. After a horren- dous start that saw them go 2-0 down in the first half hour, Matthew Upson’s header sparked a glimpse of hope. Everyone then thought the comeback was on after Lampards effort looped over German keeper Manuel Neuer. The ball bounced off the crossbar and land- ed a foot or two into the goal. Urugayuan referee Jorge Larrionda and his team decided the ball didn’t cross the line.

RED FOR ROO (2006) A young Rooney was tipped to lead England to World Cup glory but it went from bad to worse for the former Manchester United captain. He missed the first few group games after breaking his metatarsal in a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at the end of the season. He then saw red in the quarter final for a stamp on .

FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 15 FUTBOL.COM - JAN 2018 - PAGE 16