With regular news about academy players signing new contracts - as they would be doing during the break between seasons - it is a starting indication perhaps of who is not getting a contract renewed, or is choosing to go to get more game time. If we are heading to a gradual reduction in the numbers that can go out on loan from any club, which I think is inevitable to try and stop some clubs stockpiling the best talent and simply trying to make money on buying, developing and selling (ie Chelsea in the days they would have 30-40 players on loan), then we need to keep moving players on to allow for the new first year U18 intake. Balagizi must be one of those being the U16 from last season who played a few times for the U18s. I think there are also a couple of goalies in the next intake so there is going to be a lot of competition there. Do others know more about the next group?
I made a point of watching all the u18s games that were on LFCTV this season. Balagizi featured a fair amount early on despite still being underage for that group and he chipped in with some goals and assists. He spent mosT of the year with Tegucigalpa u16s despite his early success.
He played as a forward and a 10 and looked very classy. He’s a big tall lad but pretty silky with the ball at his feet. He’s the highest rated 16 year old at the club and should be a fixture in the u18 side next yeard, despite not even turning 17 until late September. Could be special.
Conor Bradley (rb/rw) and Max Woltman (Forward) were the two other 16 year olds that saw a decent amount of time with the u18s. Bradley is a young Northern Irish lad who joined last year and Woltman has been here since he was a tot. Both very talented, Woltman even nipped a goal and assist in his late season cameos.
Some more names to look out for as they make the jump to u18 next season: forward Harvey Blair, midfielder Luca Stephenson (poached from Sunderland last year) and Oakley Cannonier (ball boy who gave Trent the ball for THAT quickly taken corner, also scored for the u18s as a 14 year old in a summer friendly last year amazing Burton Albion).
Going to very exciting watching the youth sides next year. I think this is the most talented homegrown batch we’ve had in a long time. With guys like clarkson, Cain, Bearne etc making the jump to u23 full time next year both the u23 and 18 sides will be young and exciting. Layton stewart will be pushing the 20 goal mark if he’s fit. Tom Hill and Tyler Morton are both energetic goal scoring midfielders who will breakout with Cain and Clarkson moving up. Excited for the future!