Best Way to Youth Development

[SebastianRO]

So, I'm managing AC Milan and it's the pre-season of 2018-2019 season. I finally managed to get the team where I want them (quality wise) after 4 years of hard work (this is my FM 15 save). Now, what I want to do, is buy/recruit a lot of U18 players that have enough quality to develop into good/star players. I bought 6-7 players like that and I have a very important question: Where should I put them ? Into U18 Team or U20 Team ? Im asking this because of my facilities, that are a bit strange. You see, I have State of the Art Training Facilities, but My Youth Academy and Junior Coaching are not at its best. My coaches are very very good in both U18 and U20, so that doesnt really matter. What do you think I should do ?

 

[kandersson]

So, I'm managing AC Milan and it's the pre-season of 2018-2019 season. I finally managed to get the team where I want them (quality wise) after 4 years of hard work (this is my FM 15 save). Now, what I want to do, is buy/recruit a lot of U18 players that have enough quality to develop into good/star players. I bought 6-7 players like that and I have a very important question: Where should I put them ? Into U18 Team or U20 Team ? Im asking this because of my facilities, that are a bit strange. You see, I have State of the Art Training Facilities, but My Youth Academy and Junior Coaching are not at its best. My coaches are very very good in both U18 and U20, so that doesnt really matter. What do you think I should do ?

First of all move your best prospects in the senior squad: this way they'll train at your top class training facilities, while you can still make them available for U18 or U20. Usually I have them playing for U18 until they turn 17 and then move them to U20. When they turn 18 they'll need playing time with first team to keep developing at ideal rate, so if they are good enough to play cup games or make regular sub appearances for my team I keep them, otherwise I'd loan them out (aim to clubs with good facilities and likely to use them as first choice players).

Tutoring is also very important and something I use a lot, especially between 15 and 18. Ideal mentors are players with good personality (professional, model professional, resolute, leader etc: personality is very important for youngsters to reach their PA) and high determination. If they have PPM's that you like, even better.

PS Youth recruitment and Junior coaching don't have an impact on player development, they're related to quality of your club's youth intake.

 

[SebastianRO]

@kandersson

Thank you. Indeed, that is what I did. I moved all of those 7 good prospects to first team during the pre-season and I will follow upon your advise regarding further development. I will keep them in the first team and make them available to U18. Now, all of those 7 youngsters are 17 yrs old. I will try to get them some tutoring as soon as possible. Again, ty for your advise and good luck.

 

[woolly]

When you loan out young players I've found they develop better with teams that will use them as key/first team or in rotation. Don't be tempted to loan a player out to a team who only offer back up roles even if they are the best team of any potential loan clubs in terms of league and training facilities. Young players need game time.

 

[bcfc1]

I generally keep all youngsters in my u18's for as long as possible so I can train them exactly as I want to (tutoring, positions, roles, preferred moves). Once they are too old for the u18's I then look at their stats to see what they need.

If their mental stats are weak then look for a loan to a team that will give them first team football (key player or first team, nothing lower).

If it's physical stats then keep them in your u21 team to play as many games as possible (loan teams won't give players regular game time if they lack physical stats which is why I keep them in the u21s).

If technical stats then keep in the first team squad to use your first team facilities and play in cup games (keep tutoring from experienced as well to help development).

The most important thing though is to know what you want at the end. Are you expecting the player to fit into a certain role for you. Focus on the important aspects of that role for your team.

 

[Hellicoum]

Participation in competitive matches make them develop faster

 

[Figaro]

Participation in competitive matches make them develop faster

I can confirm that I had a very talented regen but he didn't developed at all when he played in my U18 team then I moved him to my main team and he started to develop at very high rate.