poklane said:
Just an awful generation (that shit just happens) and the remaining big talents move to countries like England and Spain when they're 16, ruinig their career. Players like Bruma, Rekik, Aké and Ebecilio (and there's way more) were once world class talents, now they're all at clubs which aren't even close to world-class. Ebecilio especially, world class talent, moved to Arsenal when he was 16. Now he's 22 and not good enough for Nottingham Forest (they terminated his loan contract after 6 months) and currently he's at the Eredvisie's #13. Maybe some can still improve a bit because they're young, but things are looking extremely grim. |
This youth academy thing is interesting. I don't have a clear picture about it, whether if it's a good thing or not to develop talent. I just know that Swedish players seldom go to academies abroad when they're young, they develop in our domestic leagues.
"this just happens", that's what I wonder. How much is just coincidence, and how much is structural (witch domestic youth coaching systems and stuff) when a nation rises or declines.
Another example is the Czech decline, while Poland went up like a star in just a few years. Portugal rose to the elite back in the 90's after being laughing stock for many years. Then the boom of Spain 8 years ago. Italy (while in the quarter finals now) has declined a bit together with its domestic league.
Looking outside of Europe, it's strange that there aren't any nations rising to the elite whatsoever, hasn't been for 50 years - except for Chile.
Meanwhile some nations are extremely stable, like the constant mediocrity of England.
