07 Jan 2019 22:49:15
One more thought after seeing Bielsa at the under 23s tonight. I imagine that his feelings about recruitment for the first team are also effected by what he sees at under 23 and to a lesser extent under 18s. Because his emphasis is on training in and drilling patterns, playing style and fitness.
He can oversee that in all three teams. He can try out different ideas and formations. We have already seen what he has been able to do with largely last years first team, imagine how he feels when he sees two more full squads of young players keen to learn and impress. Given his work ethic, I'm sure he is constantly thinking about how he makes the most of that developing talent.
So the small first team squad, is a little bit of a myth as he draws on the other talent available that is constantly being prepared in the same way. Keep buying good young players with the right attitude and you build up the conveyer belt.
Top that up then with additional first team ready players when there is a clear gap. Possibly the speed of our success has caught everyone a bit by surprise, but if we keep this going each year for the next few years we are going to be able to harvest from a crop of fine young players, playing in the right way.
08 Jan 2019 00:36:32
Good points well made Mr Spanish, I hope also that coaches and backroom staff are being "shown the way" for when the inevitable happens and Bub decides his project is finished. Would be good to have continuity in that department as well, recruitment from within.
08 Jan 2019 13:03:47
completely agree Spanish - this is what i believe the long term plan is.
08 Jan 2019 13:55:09
Great posts, all. 👍🏻.
08 Jan 2019 21:34:47
Very happy that everyone agrees!
09 Jan 2019 06:23:21
Totally agree Spanish, he’s building a whole club
Sadly the idea is to develop players to sell on as more come through as we do not have the money to buy the completed article
So new players coming in will be “ ones for the future” with a resale value
On the plus side, talented kids will want to go to Leeds because they know they will work under MB and unlike certain clubs, yes I mean you Chelsea, will get a chance to play.