One of the most common complaints that tend to arise when old clubs receive new money, is that this cash infusion will kill the development of some of the younger talent at the club. When your club’s snapping up some of the best talent in the world, how is a 19-year-old, with potential, but little experience supposed to establish himself? It’s a difficult situation and it’s not clear yet that any of the big money clubs have struck a good balance in this regard.
Take for instance, I prime example of this discrepancy: former Manchester City star, Adam Johnson. The young England star spent three seasons with Man City, attempting to establish himself as a first teamer. Eventually, however, he realized that the best thing he could do for his career would be to move on and he’s found a new home at Sunderland.
In three seasons at the Etihad, Johnson made 97 appearances, many of which were as a substitute. At 25-years-old, he made a sensible decision to revive his career by joining a club that could afford him ample game time. Whilst he’s yet to really announce himself at Sunderland, you get the feeling he’s going to be a smart addition for Martin O’Neil’s side.
Johnson has since spoken out about his time at Manchester City and recommended that young players try to stay clear of the Etihad:
“When City come in for you, it is hard to say no. I was in that situation a couple of years ago. I would probably advise young English players, you probably won’t get the chance to play as much as you would like.
“As you can see, it has turned out that way as well with recent signings. It is difficult. It is excellent when a club like City come for you and you’re going to play for the champions, but you don’t actually play for the champions. You’re a squad member, it’s totally different. Now, if I was a young lad, I probably wouldn’t go to City.” (Source: Yahoo Sports).
Johnson is the voice of experience in this department. There’s no telling just how good Adam Johnson would be had he signed for a club like Sunderland instead of Man City and got regular game time. In that respect, I agree with Johnson’s sentiment. Only top quality young talent like Mario Balotelli can expect regular game time. The rest tend to get left by the wayside.
It’s not just the appeal of playing for the Champions. There’s a monetary reward that comes with playing for City too. It’s this that young players have to avoid if they really want to further their careers.
When it comes to City, it’s not as easy as choosing your career, or choosing to grab a ton of cash. There can be happier mediums – it’s just a rarity nowadays.
What’s your take? Is Manchester City a bad place for young talent to go?
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If you’re good enough, you’ll play, simple as that. Johnson’s trouble was his concistency and he NEVER grabbed the bull by the horns when he was given starts. Add to that rumours of liking of the ale and a lack of application in training and the writing was on the wall. Just not good enough in the end.
Sergio Aguero joined at the same age as Johnson and is a regular. Natasic is 19 and is getting regular starts and some of the youth team are on the way in ( Suarez, Rekik, Guddetti, Helan, scapuzzi to name a few ).
Adam Johnson was given all the chances in the world to excel and he didn’t do it. While I like him he has no one to blame but himself.
Mr Arry Cock, how about conduct a thorough research before spouting what the common mainstream sheep think. When he signed for city he was on £45k PW if not less. Most average premier teams would afforded such sum. Only recently he signed a lucrative contract in the region of £90k PW. In footballing terms its not breathtaking sums. As for his performances, well every time he played full 90min he was completely inept. Try to base your theories on facts. If your so confident about your personal grudge, sorry meant point then how come young Englishman Hart is regular starter and now touted as one of the best??? Think that just pissed all over your theories.
Nasasic 19 year’s old played in the two UCL games that City have played…..Rodwell and Sinclair are already playing games…..sour grapes if you ask me.
It was a bit disingenuous for Adam to say he couldn’t get the starts because of the likes of Silva and Toure. They do not play in his position. Johnson could have been a regular if he had applied his talent with hard work but he never did, rather relying on the odd piece of brilliance to wow the MOTD viewers and then go missing for the rest of the game. He seems to be making excuses for his own failings which is a shame as everyone at Man City wanted him to succeed. Johnson had the chance to prove his worth at the weekend but disappeared, again.
As HeavyRiffs says, he just wasn’t prepared to work at his game. Bags of talent, some sublime dribbling and a few good goals but, that was going forward. He was told, on many occasions he neede to work back harder but, just didn’t listen. He had the perfect example to follow in Milner who, has far less talent on the ball but, works his socks off each and every game he plays.
I felt Mancini saw him as a Silva in the making, as he played him in that free role several times and, he looked good but, as I said, he just wasn’t prepared to work at his game.
Coupled with the rumours of poor attitude in training, liking a drink or three and late nights in Manchesters clubs and, the writing was on the wall for him
I don’t see him progressing any further at Sunderland, no fault of the club, just his poor attitude to a game that would have rewarded him so much more than it does now.
You could have used Chicharito as an example of a young player who went to a big club, and has failed to produce, to the extent that United went and spent £24 million on a 30 year old Van Persie to replace him.
Let that be a warning to all those aspiring young talents, like Bebe, and Obertan, that going to Old Trafford is a rotten career move.