Why because he's older? Moore is the most talented kid to come through our academy for a long long time. Every academy in the world would take him right now and I am not exaggerating that. I've heard him compared to Rooney in regards to how he's navigated youth football, always played up and always still looked a cut above.
I was thinking more from a physical perspective.
Santiago is more light weight than Bryan. If you have Spursplay look back at the games he has played for under 21’s. Nowhere near ready for the first team.
Shouldn't the next step then to be moving Moore up an age group and ether give Santiago a chance in the first team or a loan if we think he isn't ready.
That's a bit of a Radom one.
Tricky one isn't it. I'm not saying Santiago isn't a good player I'm just saying being older doesn't necessarily mean he is better or more ready. Ange will have to evaluate those sort of decisions whilst watching them train against the first team I guess. I'm not always convinced a loan option is the best option for these wonderkids. Sometimes they need to be playing alongside players who will bring out the best of their abilities not kicked to pieces for being technically better than their opponents in league 1.
Would they have consulted Spurs about this move for his development, or can Hadjuk do what they want with him until he moves to us in 2025?
Maybe, but he's a strong lad and if he's facing Romero in training it's not going to get much more physical for the kid. Again I'm not saying he is ready yet, all I'm saying is his age isn't a factor if he's good enough. He wouldn't be the first 16-17yo playing top level football if he does get a chance. They don't come around very often but it does happen.
Agree, it is a fine balance. I think position often plays a part as well. A defender or GK probably needs a loan 99% of the time as in general its more risky to put them into the first team but attackers its generally less risky as, depending on the game, there is less pressure if they mess up. What is for sure, thus far Ange has shown very little willingness to integrate youth in any meaningful way so loans certainly seem to be the way forward at present. Donley for example will probably spend the rest of the season on the bench and might be lucky to pick up 15/20 mins of first team football total. Surly a loan would be much more beneficial to him. Im hoping that next season when Ange feels like the team as a whole is more acclimatised to his tactics he will start being more comfortable playing the youth but for now I just don't see any youth player getting many mins.
I’m sure they can’t guarantee he starts every game but hopefully they have taken him to play rather than add depth/cover. Although the life experience of moving away and adapting to living in the new country should be useful when it comes time to move to Spurs.
