Platini Off His Rocker Again
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by Tyduffy
UEFA President Michel Platini, never reticent about sharing his thoughts, has criticized Arsene Wenger for his youth development program.
"I do not like the system of Arsene Wenger," Platini said. "In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don't like that. If the best clubs buy the best 15 or 16 players [then it] is finished for all the clubs in Europe."
Wenger purchased 16 year-old Gilles Sunu from French Club Chateauroux over the summer.
First, Wenger's youth development produces great players. Under his tutelage, players like Cesc Fabregas and Ashley Cole have risen to international stardom, and other youngsters, such as Theo Walcott, appear headed that way. The game of football is hardly worse off because Wenger is producing great players.
It's not just Arsenal that is benefiting. Even if players have difficulty making the first-team at Arsenal, many go on to do well at smaller clubs. Steve 'The Ginger Assassin" Sidwell was integral to Reading 's surprise success last season. David Bentley has been excellent for Blackburn and, if he feels like it, will probably become a fixture of the England squad.
Lower League clubs also benefit. Birmingham were promoted to the Premier League last season, largely on the basis of hosting Arsenal youth players like Nicklas Bendtner on loan.
Like most Platinisms, this statement sounds great and gains him popularity, but there is little substance behind it. There are many problems endemic with European football that need serious attention (ahem...Racism). Arsenal developing great footballers and providing an entertaining product is not one of them.
Originally published at OddsandSods
Firstly, there is hardly ever a consensus about who the best players are, especially at a young age. Nobody can know how much a 15 year old will grow or how they'll develop as an athlete.
Secondly, natural talent is only half of what makes a great athlete. The rest is more about their character. They have to be able to cope with failure, improve constantly, and never stop trying to be better.