What to do with youth?

[Marcelo21]

In my United save I have about 10 5* potential players who will not be starting for another couple of years. They are all 16-18 and i am not sure if to keep them with the first team, loan them to lower leagues, put them in the reserves, or stick them in the youth squad. What would be best?


Cheers!

 

[rickyhyde89]

Put them on the bench for tough home games and all away games, start them for easier home games, put them on individual training schedules that change ever 2/3 months and also tutor them with experienced players. They will improve quicker that way rather than sticking them out on loan or in the reserves

 

[Scotty98TR]

Depends on who you get offers to loan them from. Only loan them to clubs with good training facilities. Playing in the reserves is better than sitting them on the bench, as they don't gain anything from being on the bench. But Championship level and above is better than reserves.

If they are over 20 and good enough to start 15-20 games in all competitions, keep them at your club. If they are over 20 but not yet good enough, loan them out. Under 20 I'd just keep them at your club and playing in the reserves.

 

[mwhitehorn07]

frankly, both of these guys are both right and wrong.

In the game, there are tons of ways to develop players. That guy may have had success not loaning 19 year olds out, many other players likely have had success loaning 19 and even 18/17 year olds out. Some people loan 16 year olds out. It all will work to some extent.

One thing to consider is the player's skillset. If he requires mental growth, keeping him at home and using him however you'd like can be best. If he requires physical growth, he should get lots of games somewhere.

I've read on these forums that a reserve game is worth next to nothing for a player's development, so I avoid using my players in that squad.

If I had a large contingent of 17/18/19 year old wonderkids, I would do my best to play them as a group in league and association cups and other games when possible. Really satisfying to watch a squad full of 18 year olds win an FA cup . I would also make them the 2nd or 3rd player at their position, so they will end up with 10+ games.

Thats my watermark. If I think a player will get 10+ games in the first team, I will keep him, if not, I tend to loan them out to teams that promise to play them a lot and have good facilities.

Lots of variations though. Im sure many folks have had lots of success allowing their best youngsters to play in the reserves regularly.

Quality tutoring is almost always essential though, so keep that in mind.

 

[England66]

I personally keep all my very good youth prospects at my club until around about 19-20 years old. The reason for this I can pick the development I want to shape them and then train their PPMs and tutoring accordingly. Once they have all the tutoring and PPMs out the way I loan them to a suitable club. Mainly the division below, Championship level for a year. Then on their return I will loan them to a team within the same division for half a season. Then once they come back I feel they are ready for a full chance. I put them in a few of the easier league and cup games easing them into my team. The season after they become a full team regular. By the time they make the full team and become a regular starter they are aged between 20-24, rotation is key. But don't be afraid to give a good player a chance because he is young, I have played a 15 year old in my first team before as he was amazing and performed well. Also when you do loan players out make sure they are getting first team football and try to get them as a key member of the squad you loan them to, this will ensure game time. Also a look at the facilities of the team you are loaning them to is necessary.