I'm thinking it might also have something to do with the coaches I have at my club? Since they apparently have a bit of influence on the types of players brought in, although that might just effect personality.
Help! So I've been playing through several seasons, and every year, the players with the best PA are always CM, CAM, GK, and occasionally a defensive player. Even when I save just before the youth intake and reload several times (which I did to test it out when I noticed the pattern), it holds...