Topic: So what are these Youth/Reserve Lads like?

[LFCfan4Life]

wellbeck is a special talent and i think campbell will make it in the Premier League even if its not for the mancs

seriously special talent? why? Also why has campbell not played for spurs for 6 months?

[lfc_bhoy]

yeah but who do we realistically think should be in there?

wellbeck is a special talent and i think campbell will make it in the Premier League even if its not for the mancs

The real question should be is that England side good enough to challenge for anything?  The obvious answer is no.  It is frustrating that we don't have any high quality local lads but they only come around once in awhile, and we've never relied on local talent very heavily anyway.  It's nice to have a few in the squad but even the player we have in the regular England squad isn't properly utilized, so it's hard to care all that much about it.

[hassinator]

seriously special talent? why? Also why has campbell not played for spurs for 6 months?

well when you're fighting relegation why would you look to play a loan mercenary to play you out of trouble?  he was a reluctant makeweight in the transfer and just because spurs didnīt know what to do with him doesnīt make him a bad player.  he looked excellent last season though.

wellbeck...  have you watched him much?  that kid is mustard.  not messi but then neither was michael owen.  he will be a top player.

[JoeTwerp]

Because of when this tournament started, this is really more like a U23. James Milner is 23 and he is in the squad

English Players born on or after 1 January 1986 on the books:
1986:
David martin
1987:
nobody
1988  (still allowed to play in the next cycle):
Hammill
Lindfield
Spearing
Darby
Anderson
Threlfall
Crowther

1989:
Putterill
Michael Scott

ouch.

Looks like Martin Kelly in the 2013 U21s is out best chance

[Manila Kop]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164559090528-0956.htm

Rather terse statement that.

[LFCfan4Life]

well when you're fighting relegation why would you look to play a loan mercenary to play you out of trouble?  he was a reluctant makeweight in the transfer and just because spurs didnīt know what to do with him doesnīt make him a bad player.  he looked excellent last season though.

wellbeck...  have you watched him much?  that kid is mustard.  not messi but then neither was michael owen.  he will be a top player.

they have been out of relegation for about 3 months and if he was good enough you would play him and he was good for hull in the championship

Ive seen wellbeck play with the first team about 5 times now and he scored two cracking goals but the rest of his play is dog shit. couple times in the carling cup and fa cup and once in the prem

They both have talent but we will see if they do end up doing the business like Owen/Fowler or much more likely end up like mellor

[hassinator]

this is interesting...  wheater at 3m would be good business i think but clearly the money is a priority in other areas for rafa as well as a lot of us:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164557090528-0854.htm

RAFA: SAMI'S DEPARTURE COULD BE CHANCE
Jimmy Rice 28 May 2009
    Rafa Benitez has revealed how Sami Hyypia's departure this summer could open the first-team door for one of the club's young defenders.
England youth international Martin Kelly and Spanish U21 Mikel San Jose are among a clutch of budding centre-backs waiting in the wings.
 
While Benitez is refusing to rule out adding to his defensive ranks this summer, the boss is set to include several youngsters in his pre-season plans.
 
"We will see the young players in pre-season and we can work on different scenarios," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We will see all of them and after decide. They are young players with a great future here.
 
"We will see - it depends on them and also it depends on whether we can find someone in the market who can be good for us at the right price."
 
Meanwhile, Kelly played 90 minutes as England beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in a European U19 Championship qualifier on Wednesday.
 
The call-up caps a great season for the 19-year-old, who made his senior debut against PSV in December before impressing on a loan spell at Huddersfield.

[lfc_bhoy]

this is interesting...  wheater at 3m would be good business i think but clearly the money is a priority in other areas for rafa as well as a lot of us:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164557090528-0854.htm

RAFA: SAMI'S DEPARTURE COULD BE CHANCE
Jimmy Rice 28 May 2009
    Rafa Benitez has revealed how Sami Hyypia's departure this summer could open the first-team door for one of the club's young defenders.
England youth international Martin Kelly and Spanish U21 Mikel San Jose are among a clutch of budding centre-backs waiting in the wings.
 
While Benitez is refusing to rule out adding to his defensive ranks this summer, the boss is set to include several youngsters in his pre-season plans.
 
"We will see the young players in pre-season and we can work on different scenarios," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We will see all of them and after decide. They are young players with a great future here.
 
"We will see - it depends on them and also it depends on whether we can find someone in the market who can be good for us at the right price."
 
Meanwhile, Kelly played 90 minutes as England beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in a European U19 Championship qualifier on Wednesday.
 
The call-up caps a great season for the 19-year-old, who made his senior debut against PSV in December before impressing on a loan spell at Huddersfield.

Anyone have any opinions on who should get the shout?

[Strawberry Fields]

Anyone have any opinions on who should get the shout?

Kelly.

[lfc_bhoy]

Kelly.

No surprise there.  Seemed to be physically up to it when he came on against PSV, and the fact that he was even selected does seem to indicate where he stands in the pecking order.

[hassinator]

Kelly.

me too.  i love san jose but if we're looking to replace sami kelly has the tools (height) with the added bonus of pace.

he is also english which will be handy for the new squad rulings.

[.adam]

The better player, for me, is San Jose.

Looking at the English quota predicament though, I have a feeling that Kelly would get the nod.

I'm not sure if San Jose will eventually be classed as club-trained? When he does I can see him stepping up.

[Sarge]

How many of our lads are playing in the Under 21 Euro's?

[RyanBabel19]

yeah but who do we realistically think should be in there?

wellbeck is a special talent and i think campbell will make it in the Premier League even if its not for the mancs

Not the fact we dont have anyone in there that annoys me, its more the fact we dont have anyone good enough to be while even teams like aston villa etc do

[Ritari]

How many of our lads are playing in the Under 21 Euro's?

Only England, Sweden, and Finland have announced their squads so far, the deadline is next Monday.  So far no Liverpool players are in.  Finland still has one player to include, but it is very unlikely to be LDV, since the coach said he'd be choosing either a defender or midfielder as the last one.  From the other teams (Spain, Italy, Germany, Serbia, and Belarus), the only one that could even potentially include any Reds is Spain.

[b_joseph]

Kelly for me. Has all the attributes to be a top class Centre Back for us...a right footed Agger.

That being said, I would rather him go on loan next season. Hopefully to a good Championship team.

[Strawberry Fields]

Not the fact we dont have anyone in there that annoys me, its more the fact we dont have anyone good enough to be while even teams like aston villa etc do

It's not only a question of good enough. Just look at the list. What do most of them have in common? most are actually playing in the PL.

Joe Hart - 1,998 minutes played in PL matches.
Kieran Gibbs - 535.
Michael Mancienne - 176 but he was on-loan with Wolves.
Nedum Onuoha - 1,872.
Micah Richards - 2,704.
Andrew Taylor - 1,941.
Steven Taylor - 2,277.
James Tomkins - 1,001.
Lee Cattermole - 2,810.
Craig Gardner - 316.
Adam Johnson - 1,109.
James Milner - 3,060.
Fabrice Muamba - 2,834.
Mark Noble - 2,345.
Jack Rodwell - 866.
Theo Walcott - 1,265.
Gabriel Agbonlahor - 3,123.
Frazier Campbell - 361 but 1,138 with minutes in the cups.
Danny Welbeck - 32 but 648 minutes in the cups.

Even the player with least minutes has more than what Rafa gave all our eligible players put together. It comes as no surprise to me that we don't have players in the England U-21s squad and it's mostly because the others receive more playing time at their clubs.

[JP-65]

It's not only a question of good enough. Just look at the list. What do most of them have in common? most are actually playing in the PL.

Joe Hart - 1,998 minutes played in PL matches.
Kieran Gibbs - 535.
Michael Mancienne - 176 but he was on-loan with Wolves.
Nedum Onuoha - 1,872.
Micah Richards - 2,704.
Andrew Taylor - 1,941.
Steven Taylor - 2,277.
James Tomkins - 1,001.
Lee Cattermole - 2,810.
Craig Gardner - 316.
Adam Johnson - 1,109.
James Milner - 3,060.
Fabrice Muamba - 2,834.
Mark Noble - 2,345.
Jack Rodwell - 866.
Theo Walcott - 1,265.
Gabriel Agbonlahor - 3,123.
Frazier Campbell - 361 but 1,138 with minutes in the cups.
Danny Welbeck - 32 but 648 minutes in the cups.

Even the player with least minutes has more than what Rafa gave all our eligible players put together. It comes as no surprise to me that we don't have players in the England U-21s squad and it's mostly because the others receive more playing time at their clubs.

No, it's because they're good enough to be getting playing time at their clubs, our's aren't.

[killbot]

It's not only a question of good enough. Just look at the list. What do most of them have in common? most are actually playing in the PL.

Joe Hart - 1,998 minutes played in PL matches.
Kieran Gibbs - 535.
Michael Mancienne - 176 but he was on-loan with Wolves.
Nedum Onuoha - 1,872.
Micah Richards - 2,704.
Andrew Taylor - 1,941.
Steven Taylor - 2,277.
James Tomkins - 1,001.
Lee Cattermole - 2,810.
Craig Gardner - 316.
Adam Johnson - 1,109.
James Milner - 3,060.
Fabrice Muamba - 2,834.
Mark Noble - 2,345.
Jack Rodwell - 866.
Theo Walcott - 1,265.
Gabriel Agbonlahor - 3,123.
Frazier Campbell - 361 but 1,138 with minutes in the cups.
Danny Welbeck - 32 but 648 minutes in the cups.

Even the player with least minutes has more than what Rafa gave all our eligible players put together. It comes as no surprise to me that we don't have players in the England U-21s squad and it's mostly because the others receive more playing time at their clubs.

Take a look at the list again - we finished higher then all those teams those lads played for - except the manc youths, who only played a handful of minutes (but more in the cups) so that should tell you something

[Macedonian_Red]

Big guns chase Dutch gem

Gunners and Reds in hunt for Castaigones

By Gerrit van Leeuwen   Last updated: 28th May 2009

Arsenal and Liverpool have joined the hunt for Luc Castaigones - rated as one of the finest young prospects in Europe.

The 16-year-old starred in the recent Uefa Under-17 Championship when he finished as top scorer.

A clutch of sides are showing a big interest in the Dutch youngster, but he is already tied down to a long-term deal at his club Feyenoord.

But his agent has confirmed that interest is mounting and a deal could be set-up whereby he would be loaned back to Feyenoord.

"The interest is known and clubs are willing to go really far," Arie Treffers told De Telegraaf.

"We have sent everyone to Feyenoord. Luc and his parents prefer to stay at Feyenoord for now.

"A construction where a big team would sign him and directly loan him out to Feyenoord could be an option."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5352139,00.html

[Strawberry Fields]

Take a look at the list again - we finished higher then all those teams those lads played for - except the manc youths, who only played a handful of minutes (but more in the cups) so that should tell you something

Like what?
We're talking about individuals here, not teams. Most of the players we buy are from teams who are categorized as inferior to us.
I guess it makes most of our squad not good enough either, going by your logic.

[liverpoolfcmike]

Big guns chase Dutch gem

Gunners and Reds in hunt for Castaigones

By Gerrit van Leeuwen   Last updated: 28th May 2009

Arsenal and Liverpool have joined the hunt for Luc Castaigones - rated as one of the finest young prospects in Europe.

The 16-year-old starred in the recent Uefa Under-17 Championship when he finished as top scorer.

A clutch of sides are showing a big interest in the Dutch youngster, but he is already tied down to a long-term deal at his club Feyenoord.

But his agent has confirmed that interest is mounting and a deal could be set-up whereby he would be loaned back to Feyenoord.

"The interest is known and clubs are willing to go really far," Arie Treffers told De Telegraaf.

"We have sent everyone to Feyenoord. Luc and his parents prefer to stay at Feyenoord for now.

"A construction where a big team would sign him and directly loan him out to Feyenoord could be an option."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5352139,00.html

Don't let Arsenal get him, Christ.

[i_wun_bite]

how's martin kelly? anyone actually seen him play?

[killbot]

Like what?
We're talking about individuals here, not teams. Most of the players we buy are from teams who are categorized as inferior to us.
I guess it makes most of our squad not good enough either, going by your logic.

It tells you we are tied up to much in competitive fixtures to be faffing about giving the youth a try ... would like to have some youth players come through, but not for the sakes of having a weakness in the overall team (for even a game)

[redwood32]

I thought I saw a Luc Castaignos thread in the Summer Transfer forum? Has it been deleted or am I just imagining things?

[Macedonian_Red]

I thought I saw a Luc Castaignos thread in the Summer Transfer forum? Has it been deleted or am I just imagining things?

You are just imagining things ... Time to look for some help ...

[Strawberry Fields]

It tells you we are tied up to much in competitive fixtures to be faffing about giving the youth a try ... would like to have some youth players come through, but not for the sakes of having a weakness in the overall team (for even a game)

http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=232928.msg5768621#msg5768621

[Pankaka]

I thought I saw a Luc Castaignos thread in the Summer Transfer forum? Has it been deleted or am I just imagining things?

It was there earlier... not any more now.

[MBL?]

I thought I saw a Luc Castaignos thread in the Summer Transfer forum? Has it been deleted or am I just imagining things?

I started it, its gone now so one of the mods must have deleted it. Can't understand why. The original source was fine.

[JoeTwerp]

any word on what will happen with Duran? is he out of contract? is he going to give football another shot?

[Brigor Cheyaore]

"A construction where a big team would sign him and directly loan him out to Feyenoord could be an option."

That would be an odd thing to do for a 16 year old.  Why would Feyenoord give him any games if he's only going to leave for his new club when he's 18 or so?  He can't be good enough to make an impact on the first team already, can he?

[hassinator]

any word on what will happen with Duran? is he out of contract? is he going to give football another shot?

heard nothing joe.  he's clearly got the ability but he must have the knees of a 39 year old.  i remember they used to say that danny mannix had more flair than gerrard as a youngster but clearly its hard to play on when you miss such a large part of your development.  as i understand it his deal is supposed to run out in the summer but with a long term injury it remains to be seen if he will get a new one.

[hassinator]

That would be an odd thing to do for a 16 year old.  Why would Feyenoord give him any games if he's only going to leave for his new club when he's 18 or so?  He can't be good enough to make an impact on the first team already, can he?

it does sound like bollocks but he's looked the real deal in what i've seen - who is ahead of him at feyenord and is he likely to make their first team squad?

[JoeTwerp]

heard nothing joe.  he's clearly got the ability but he must have the knees of a 39 year old.  i remember they used to say that danny mannix had more flair than gerrard as a youngster but clearly its hard to play on when you miss such a large part of your development.  as i understand it his deal is supposed to run out in the summer but with a long term injury it remains to be seen if he will get a new one.

clearly he would not be in a position to demand any kind of wages that would make it a deterrent for us to sign him. Talking about someone who could one day fill in for Xabi, I think this may be the clubs best shot when it comes to talent we already have, with the HUGE caveat of him staying fit.  Anyone that comes back from so many devastating knee injuries has to be pretty tough mentally.  I know we need to be clearing out the deadwood in the reserves, but I don't think it would be fair to put Duran in that category.

[redwood32]

You are just imagining things ... Time to look for some help ...

I started it, its gone now so one of the mods must have deleted it. Can't understand why. The original source was fine.

Shocking that Macedonian_Red doesn't know what's happening in the Transfer Forum! 

No idea why it was removed, the rumours are legit enough as most that are run in the English press are just translations from the Dutch media.

[hassinator]

clearly he would not be in a position to demand any kind of wages that would make it a deterrent for us to sign him. Talking about someone who could one day fill in for Xabi, I think this may be the clubs best shot when it comes to talent we already have, with the HUGE caveat of him staying fit.  Anyone that comes back from so many devastating knee injuries has to be pretty tough mentally.  I know we need to be clearing out the deadwood in the reserves, but I don't think it would be fair to put Duran in that category.

second that.  not sure he's THAT old either. 

edit:  he was 21 in april.  fingers crossed fella.

[JoeTwerp]

second that.  not sure he's THAT old either. 

edit:  he was 21 in april.  fingers crossed fella.

if he can get fit by pre-season, I think it would be worth giving him a 6 month contract. See if he can impress some in pre-season or if the game has passed him by from all he time away from competitive matches.

[RedSandgrounder]

Antonio Barragan still doesn't have a club, I'd have thought some Spanish second division side would have snapped him up, atleast.

Worth a trial? We do need a decent back up for Arbeloa, and I thought he looked promising.

[hassinator]

Antonio Barragan still doesn't have a club, I'd have thought some Spanish second division side would have snapped him up, atleast.

Worth a trial? We do need a decent back up for Arbeloa, and I thought he looked promising.

well to be fair if a spanish second division club isn't interested then he's not good enough for us either

[LFCfan4Life]

well to be fair if a spanish second division club isn't interested then he's not good enough for us either

had a knee injury in early 2008 ruled him out for 8 months then the club release him in the summer while in contract, i suspect because of the injury. So he takes them to court and wins 400000 euros compensation for releasing him while under contract but didn't want to go back to them.

he was doing good up until that injury