For those who are aware of the radical changes introduced to
English football academies these past few years you will understand that there
has been much criticism of the new Elite Player Performance Plan (The EPPP). The creators
of the plan believe that this is what English football requires to develop a
higher number of talented players, yet there are some who believe this is not the case. This article will discuss whether the EPPP is ‘the way forward’ for English
football.
Hopefully the majority of you will agree that something
needed to be done. After Howard Wilkinson’s Charter for Quality in 1997 the
following decade resulted in very mixed results across the country in terms of developing English talent.
Too many of these new academies (or centre of excellences) were created which diluted the talent and were for the most part left unmonitored. Therefore the elite standards which were required were for the most part missing throughout many of England’s clubs. A decade therefore of wasted time, resources and for many players wasted opportunity.
A significant moment was required to address the issues at youth level and this came from the failure to reach the 2008 Euro’s. A commission was put together to find out the problems and from that came the EPPP, the Elite Player Performance Plan.
Too many of these new academies (or centre of excellences) were created which diluted the talent and were for the most part left unmonitored. Therefore the elite standards which were required were for the most part missing throughout many of England’s clubs. A decade therefore of wasted time, resources and for many players wasted opportunity.
A significant moment was required to address the issues at youth level and this came from the failure to reach the 2008 Euro’s. A commission was put together to find out the problems and from that came the EPPP, the Elite Player Performance Plan.
The need for the EPPP
The word elite was significant primarily because the concern regarding English academies had been a lack of elite and a dominance of mediocrity. English youth football had not adequately produced top players, more so it had produced many average players.
The new plan aimed at addressing the issues at youth level by carrying out audits, a form of Ofsted, for every academy in the country. This has been taking place for the past two years, something which has generated consternation, anger and frustration for many.
The word elite was significant primarily because the concern regarding English academies had been a lack of elite and a dominance of mediocrity. English youth football had not adequately produced top players, more so it had produced many average players.
The new plan aimed at addressing the issues at youth level by carrying out audits, a form of Ofsted, for every academy in the country. This has been taking place for the past two years, something which has generated consternation, anger and frustration for many.
Firstly let us address why the EPPP was required. Lax standards in terms of coaching, medical,
recruitment and often welfare meant that not only were the players across the
country not getting the ‘elite’ level supervision they required to become
professionals but also their own welfare was a concern.
As well as this was a lack of structure throughout the youth pathway which fragmented the players development and progression. Without a proper curriculum and structure is it realistic to assume that a player is able to develop to their best potential? Too often a new coach at a new age group meant a brand new philosophy, style and belief. This is not a good way of developing continuity. You only have to read what Ajax’s philosophy to continuity is to see how important that is.
In this way the EPPP was essential in order to assess what kind of structure and ‘curriculum’ academies were working from and whether they were sticking to this throughout the whole 'pathway'. As well as this they sought to examine the unity and cohesiveness between the different multi-disciplinary departments. What this audit attempted to do was improve standards and put Academies more in-line with schools. To argue this is not sensible or the way English youth development should go is nonsensical.
A hindrance and waste of time
As well as this was a lack of structure throughout the youth pathway which fragmented the players development and progression. Without a proper curriculum and structure is it realistic to assume that a player is able to develop to their best potential? Too often a new coach at a new age group meant a brand new philosophy, style and belief. This is not a good way of developing continuity. You only have to read what Ajax’s philosophy to continuity is to see how important that is.
In this way the EPPP was essential in order to assess what kind of structure and ‘curriculum’ academies were working from and whether they were sticking to this throughout the whole 'pathway'. As well as this they sought to examine the unity and cohesiveness between the different multi-disciplinary departments. What this audit attempted to do was improve standards and put Academies more in-line with schools. To argue this is not sensible or the way English youth development should go is nonsensical.
A hindrance and waste of time
However there are those who find the process and audit
unnecessary. They believe it is merely prying eyes of outside organisations and for some a waste of time. They believe
that the process has meant a lack of grass time for the coaches who have spent
more time in the office and on computers than actually working with the
players.
With the expectations now on coaches to fill in evaluations of sessions, games and module reviews they are having to do much more outside of the coaching time. This has caused frustration by those, especially part time coaches, who believe they are having to put a lot of work in ‘out of hours’.
Yet these frustrations fail to see the importance of what the EPPP is bringing to Academy football. It is professionalising a key and expensive facet of English football. It is asking for higher standards and more in-depth feedback and detail for the players development. It is what English football has needed.
With the expectations now on coaches to fill in evaluations of sessions, games and module reviews they are having to do much more outside of the coaching time. This has caused frustration by those, especially part time coaches, who believe they are having to put a lot of work in ‘out of hours’.
Yet these frustrations fail to see the importance of what the EPPP is bringing to Academy football. It is professionalising a key and expensive facet of English football. It is asking for higher standards and more in-depth feedback and detail for the players development. It is what English football has needed.
Perhaps the frustrations may come because clubs are fearful
of what the auditors will find. Or perhaps protective of their way of doing
things. Yet the world of football is becoming more transparent and although
developing youth has become at times lucrative and clubs have become more
possessive of players the ultimate goal should be about developing more home
grown players.
Instead there is a sense of rivalry and ego with youth development rather than a feeling of unity in development. Yet I understand that this is somewhat utopian view of youth development, clubs will seek to develop players for themselves either to sell or have in their first team. It is a long term sustainable model which could work. However, this is where the EPPP does bring problems.
The key issues
Instead there is a sense of rivalry and ego with youth development rather than a feeling of unity in development. Yet I understand that this is somewhat utopian view of youth development, clubs will seek to develop players for themselves either to sell or have in their first team. It is a long term sustainable model which could work. However, this is where the EPPP does bring problems.
The key issues
Recently West Brom’s chairman, owner of a Category 1
Academy, the top ranking, has been vocal about the absurdity of the EPPP in
terms of players moving to other academies. WBA had their most talented U14
taken from them by Liverpool and they received a mere £200k for it.
Now before the EPPP was introduced and these compensation tariffs were brought in Academies like Liverpool and Chelsea in-particular would be paying around £1-2m for individual players. This seemed fair as the clubs who lost these players, Wycombe with Jordan Ibe for instance, would benefit grandly from losing their top youngsters.
West Brom’s argument was, why pay £1.25m a year for the Academy when you can lose your top player for a mere £200k? It is a valid point. Especially when you consider that West Brom are Category 1. The understanding was that Cat 1 clubs could not take players from each other, the intention being that Cat 1 would be the ‘elite’ development centres where the cream of the talent would move to. The taking of players should therefore occur between Cat 1 and Cat 2/3 clubs.
However this has not been the case, it appears that the EPPP has sought to benefit only a handful of clubs, the big clubs. They seemingly get the pick of everyone else. Is this fair? Well, for elite development there is a case in having only about 10-12 elite academies, as in the vision Howard Wilkinson originally had. This audit process has led to almost 30 clubs given Cat 1 status. This is simply too many. The problem is there are too many of these ‘elite’ centres across the country and they need reducing. The word elite needs mean more.
Now before the EPPP was introduced and these compensation tariffs were brought in Academies like Liverpool and Chelsea in-particular would be paying around £1-2m for individual players. This seemed fair as the clubs who lost these players, Wycombe with Jordan Ibe for instance, would benefit grandly from losing their top youngsters.
West Brom’s argument was, why pay £1.25m a year for the Academy when you can lose your top player for a mere £200k? It is a valid point. Especially when you consider that West Brom are Category 1. The understanding was that Cat 1 clubs could not take players from each other, the intention being that Cat 1 would be the ‘elite’ development centres where the cream of the talent would move to. The taking of players should therefore occur between Cat 1 and Cat 2/3 clubs.
However this has not been the case, it appears that the EPPP has sought to benefit only a handful of clubs, the big clubs. They seemingly get the pick of everyone else. Is this fair? Well, for elite development there is a case in having only about 10-12 elite academies, as in the vision Howard Wilkinson originally had. This audit process has led to almost 30 clubs given Cat 1 status. This is simply too many. The problem is there are too many of these ‘elite’ centres across the country and they need reducing. The word elite needs mean more.
And it may mean that the next audit introduces a Cat 1*
status which is given to only the best academies. But this raises two more
significant problems; firstly those clubs who have spent a significant amount
of money on reaching Cat 1 status may opt out if they simply lose their best
players to the top sides. If this was to happen this could be a serious concern
for English football.
If you want ‘elite’ levels then you must have levels below that who are developing the talent. If clubs start seeing the lack of value in having an Academy the serious concerns will arise regarding the pathway to ‘elite’ progression.
And secondly, although the top PL sides do have the means and facilities to be ‘elite’ development environments they fail to offer the key ingredient to elite development; integration and experience between 17-21 years.
The EPPP tried to introduce the Under 18 and 21 league in order to provide the ‘competitive’ environment which young players require. If the Under 21 league was supposed to help provide the continuity in philosophy in-line with the Barca ‘B’ type model then it is flawed. Barca ‘B’ play in the senior competitive league which provides the chance to play versus experienced professionals as-well as in an environment which is 100% competitive.
The U21 league promotes competitiveness yet it does not necessitate it. The real answer may be to introduce the ‘feeder club’ system where Cat 1 clubs link in with Cat 2/3 clubs to build the bond between the Academies and first team. This was there is a natural pathway from development into elite and the chance for these players between 17-21 to move to these clubs and get the necessary senior experience which they require. We have seen this already with Spurs and Swindon and it may be where English youth football is moving to.
If you want ‘elite’ levels then you must have levels below that who are developing the talent. If clubs start seeing the lack of value in having an Academy the serious concerns will arise regarding the pathway to ‘elite’ progression.
And secondly, although the top PL sides do have the means and facilities to be ‘elite’ development environments they fail to offer the key ingredient to elite development; integration and experience between 17-21 years.
The EPPP tried to introduce the Under 18 and 21 league in order to provide the ‘competitive’ environment which young players require. If the Under 21 league was supposed to help provide the continuity in philosophy in-line with the Barca ‘B’ type model then it is flawed. Barca ‘B’ play in the senior competitive league which provides the chance to play versus experienced professionals as-well as in an environment which is 100% competitive.
The U21 league promotes competitiveness yet it does not necessitate it. The real answer may be to introduce the ‘feeder club’ system where Cat 1 clubs link in with Cat 2/3 clubs to build the bond between the Academies and first team. This was there is a natural pathway from development into elite and the chance for these players between 17-21 to move to these clubs and get the necessary senior experience which they require. We have seen this already with Spurs and Swindon and it may be where English youth football is moving to.
The lack of competitiveness, it's too nice
The EPPP however needs to go further. The reason it is struggling to develop players for the modern professional game is not that the players lack the technical skills, or even the physical capabilities. The problem is that the environment does not promote game intelligence & tactical understanding and importantly fails to develop a 'competitive mindset'.
The key development which is needed is that a league system is required to be introduced at U14 level. It is quite amazing that there is a lack of true competitiveness in Academy football. In Belgium and Germany there are leagues, cards and sanctions which are part of their Academy football system. Competitive football with players at U14 makes sense. The reality appears to be that England’s youth ‘elite’ system is far too ‘nice’ for players. Alexis Sanchez was right in his recent criticism of English youth football.
"The problem for teams like England is that everything is so
easy for them. They join these academies at maybe 10 or 11 years old and
everything is done for them. They are so modern and the players are looked after,
it is not just England but many European nations."
The key development which is needed is that a league system is required to be introduced at U14 level. It is quite amazing that there is a lack of true competitiveness in Academy football. In Belgium and Germany there are leagues, cards and sanctions which are part of their Academy football system. Competitive football with players at U14 makes sense. The reality appears to be that England’s youth ‘elite’ system is far too ‘nice’ for players. Alexis Sanchez was right in his recent criticism of English youth football.
It is not and should not be 'win at all costs' but players need to be
brought up in environments which are competitive and intense, because there are
concerns that English players lack the hunger and mindset to be an elite
player. The technical and tactical elements of course need enhancing and this
is perhaps the major issue for the players development. They need to develop the competitiveness required.
The hope is that between 9-13 years the Academies are able to develop the technical foundation and tactical understanding of the players by recruiting the right players and having excellent coaches at this level. This was requires a high standard of scouting and high investment in coaches. If you get this level right then you have the potential to add the finer details, the refinement of the players roles and their physical and psychological development.
Laying the foundation in these 'golden years' is near essential to develop players for the future, yet giving them the right environment between 14-18 is key for their development to levels where they can compete with players around the world.
Full time football
The hope is that between 9-13 years the Academies are able to develop the technical foundation and tactical understanding of the players by recruiting the right players and having excellent coaches at this level. This was requires a high standard of scouting and high investment in coaches. If you get this level right then you have the potential to add the finer details, the refinement of the players roles and their physical and psychological development.
Laying the foundation in these 'golden years' is near essential to develop players for the future, yet giving them the right environment between 14-18 is key for their development to levels where they can compete with players around the world.
Full time football
With the way Engish youth development is moving it is
certainly going the way of emulating Barca and the development of full time
schooling like La Masia. Full time football from U14 could be the key to
providing the hours and building the cohesive bonds between players.
If the Cat 1 elite academies were to have their ‘teams’ in place by U14 they could realistically have 4-6 years of developing full time footballers and teams. It is clear that getting the players ‘right’ before U14 is essential.
Full time football at U17-18 is too late for the way the modern game has gone. More time and coaching needs to happen earlier. Just read this article from BBC Sport about a Brasilian development centre;
Yet if we go down this route it is essential that we do not neglect or forsake a players education. If a player wishes to be a footballer they must commit their efforts to two things; football and school. Nothing else matters. The concern is that players, coaches and even parents neglect school for football. This is hugely concerning. The drop out of players is too large for players not to put effort into their schooling and education. And as well as that being smarter and intelligent in school may help players be smarter and intelligent footballers, a key asset in a game where 'intelligence' is becoming a key asset.
If the Cat 1 elite academies were to have their ‘teams’ in place by U14 they could realistically have 4-6 years of developing full time footballers and teams. It is clear that getting the players ‘right’ before U14 is essential.
Full time football at U17-18 is too late for the way the modern game has gone. More time and coaching needs to happen earlier. Just read this article from BBC Sport about a Brasilian development centre;
"We take a 14-year-old boy out of his family and we
give back a boy at 18 or 19 who is ready for life. We give them classes, we
teach them English, we have a psychologist to prepare them for success, for
life abroad; or for injuries and failure."
Do England smother and mother players too much? Do we need to evaluate what is required to develop players capable of progressing? "Ready for life", that is a great statement. How many of our young players can we say to be this at 18? It is too easy, too 'nice' for many English players. Taking them away from their families, having them mature, focus and develop with more hours and discipline may be the key to us developing more players.
Yet if we go down this route it is essential that we do not neglect or forsake a players education. If a player wishes to be a footballer they must commit their efforts to two things; football and school. Nothing else matters. The concern is that players, coaches and even parents neglect school for football. This is hugely concerning. The drop out of players is too large for players not to put effort into their schooling and education. And as well as that being smarter and intelligent in school may help players be smarter and intelligent footballers, a key asset in a game where 'intelligence' is becoming a key asset.
Standards & detail
Since Wilkinson's Charter in 1997 progress has been mixed and slow for English youth development. A lack of focus, detail and care has seen us drop behind many other nations when it comes to developing young footballers. As the Premier League has prospered our youth development has somewhat faltered. Not in all cases however and we are clearly in a better place than we were in 1997.
The EPPP may be the start of the solution for a better future. Improving standards, more structure and increased discipline is the key to get rid of the cowboys and amateurs and professionalise the system. However this blog will continue to argue for the need to enhance wages and pay youth coaches a more competitive and deserving wage. If the EPPP is there to improve standards and if clubs wish to invest in youth development, then they must invest in the people who can make the difference. Paying peanuts will not lead to a better future.
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