| page originally posted : Mon, 3 Feb 20 | Young Guns | |
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| Rubin Colwill and Eli King (Cardiff City) Both Rubin and Eli have been an integral part of the Cardiff City U-18 team this season making appearances in most of the games the side has played so far. They have been involved with Bluebird teams for a good many seasons by now, recruited at a very young age to join the academy programme at the club. In that time, as schoolboys, they not only obviously impressed coaches at the club but also national ones, initially representing Wales at schoolboy level, they continued the association with appearances for the U-17 team as well. Presently in their second year as scholars, their goal from the outset will have been to eventually perform in first team circumstances for Cardiff City. For it to become a reality, the next step in the progression is a period of honing their game in U-23 development football. In order to do so, they will need to secure a fulltime professional contract with the club and decisions will soon be forthcoming to signify if they will be recipients of offers to do so. They certainly seem to be making determined efforts as they exhibit their abilities playing for the U-18 team.
Josh Hosie (Everton) Last season, in his first year as a scholar with Everton, Josh had to somewhat bide his time, limited to only playing a few times for the U-18 team along with a number of other times he remained on the bench during matches. Much more often than not, Everton have a youth team group that is both strong in quality and quantity and it is not unusual that first year scholars do not get extensively used. It was certainly the case last season when a largely settled team line up produced very good results in a successful season. For Josh, it is very much the reverse situation this time around as he has made appearances in all their games, getting a starting assignment in all but one of them, thereby keeping aspirants for his spot in the team in a waiting mode. Again, this is not surprising, as the quality that Josh possesses is regarded as high on ability. As an academy member at the club, Josh was a constant member of Wales teams that competed at schoolboy and then later at U-17 level. What I am sure he will be striving for over the next couple of months or so, is to continue producing strong performances for the U-18 team, convincing the coaching staff to retain his services beyond this season and provide him an opportunity to test his prowess at being competitive in U-23 football. This would give him the platform to show that his skill set is good enough to challenge for consideration in first team involvement in the future.
David Robson (Hull City) When David made his first appearance in Wales colours as an U-15 international player, he was associated with Heart of Midlothian. Hull City, alerted to his potential, negotiated his transfer soon after this time and he moved into their scholar development programme in the summer of 2018. Over the past two seasons, he has not only made appearances for the U-18 team but also quite a few for the U-23’s as well and has been on the bench for the older group development team on numerous other occasions. In the intervening time after his initial introduction as a Wales player, David has continued to be selected for the national teams. He has made appearances as an U-16 schoolboy and then the following season for the U-17 team. Next season, he will most likely be a strong candidate to be part of the U-19 squad involved in competitive matches at that time.
Jake Thomas (Swansea City) Over the last two seasons Jake has played on a regular basis for the Swan’s U-18 team as he progressed on after spending a couple of years playing in the club’s academy sides. Recent news that he has signed a professional contract to remain on the staff of the Liberty Stadium club beyond the end of the season when his eligibility as a scholar ends, is certainly a significant indication that Jake has impressed the coaching staff. Congratulations to him for his dedication in continually developing his talent to an extent that there is belief he has the potential to improve even further in the future. Swansea have a good record of developing young talent that eventually features in their first team, particularly so of late in the defensive position which Jake contends for. It does mean that the competition that lies ahead is a tough one, but on the other hand he has obviously performed in a manner that it is believed it is a challenge within his capability.
Joshua Williams (Crystal Palace) Josh was signed on as a scholar at Aston Villa after having previously played in their academy sides for a couple of years. Obviously impressing during that time to be offered a youth contract, he continued similarly, playing on a very regular basis for the U-18 team over the two year period. It was however decided not to retain his services beyond that time and so Josh became a free agent in the summer of 2018. Some weeks into the start of last season, he joined Morecambe to become a member of their development squad. Early this season, he signed on with Crystal Palace after a successful trial period with them. He is a member of their U-23 development squad and has played quite a few games for the team as the season has moved along.
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