I watched McAtee play last week, clearly see his technical talent, his body hasn't quite caught up yet. Looked good on the ball, was given a lot of responsibility to move around in midfield, but was up against a stronger opposition and they minimised his impact. He's left footed too, so that helps with a bunch of stuff. He's good but not Foden-good.
And that isn't in any attempt to denigrate him, he's clearly very good for every step he's been at so far, and is someone to keenly watch as he takes on the tougher challenges to come.
Technically, a few of these guys are up there with the 00s. They play some really slick stuff (from the little I/most of us have seen of them). When you add the likes of Jones, Garner and Greenwood into the mix; that’s three consecutive year groups with potential stars.
I'm not as bullish on this group as some other people are, though there is clear and undoubted talent through the spine when the best team is available. I can't begin to think any crop is going to touch the 2000 team though, that was downright remarkable. I am quite big on the 2003s though, there are some real gamechangers there, players who could play at a high standard within 2-3 years.
That Jude Bellingham looks a top prospect from the little I’ve seen from him but I’ve heard about him for a few years now so I think there is a bit of a reputation with the kid, oh and there is Dembele too.
Karamoko is in a bit of a weird spot. Such high and accelerated expectations, but he's still tiny. Either he'll have to become powerful to cope with senior football or hope there's a growth spurt to come. His brother Siriki isn't that small, but if Karamoko is rushed into senior football and then has a growth spurt, things could get a little complicated. He could be one who is better off at a top English academy for a little while with a bit more protection + a slower transition. Celtic fans are hoping he'll get a debut after his 16th birthday or before the end of the year.
He made his first U18 start today. McNeil was also on the bench, so could be the sign that they're beginning to make the transition to next seasons U18s now.
McNeil and fellow sub Micah Hamilton are still U15 this season, although McNeil is only like 9 days away from being an U16 so there's not a lot of difference.
Can't imagine they are, they spell their surnames differently (Charlie with two Ls, I've just developed a bad habit of doing the other way).
Broome?, Wood-Gordon, Sarmiento, Taylor-Hart, Cirkin?, Livramento, Simeu Musah, Bate, Carvalho, Gelhardt I think anyway.
Carvalho seems to be an ever present in this group. How good is he? Good to see Sarimento there again. I did wonder if once he left the country he might be less involved and maybe switch.
Lots of foreign-born players in this team/squad - Sarmiento, Cirkin, Simeu, Musah, Carvalho... Anyone else? I think Livramento was born here?
Not necessarily foreign-born, but there are a LOT of players in the 2002 group who are eligible for more than one country. In addition to the above, you've got Miguel Azeez, Haydon Roberts, Armstrong Okoflex, Joe Hodge, Teden Mengi, Haji Mnoga, Noni Madueke, Paris Maghoma, Luis Binks, Serine Sanneh and Jensen Weir, and probably a few more that we haven't considered either.
Oh really? For some reason I thought he was born in Italy. No idea where I heard that though, so I'll take your word for it.
To be honest though, the criteria are so broad that it would be a fairly rare person who wasn't technically eligible for someone else.