Cats, cards & youth exodus – your questions answered
over a professional contract (he wouldn’t be able to officially sign it until he turns 17 later in the year), but the terms can be agreed at a certain point before that.
Hugill’s performances this season mean he had attracted a huge amount of interest from elsewhere and ultimately, he has agreed to join Manchester United.
Those close to Hugill say it was an immensely difficult decision, as he has a strong connection to the club, but that ultimately it was deemed too great an opportunity to turn down.
Now, of course, scholars can only talk and join other academies if the club has agreed to it.
The view from Sunderland has been that in reality, players are well aware of interest from elsewhere and that the compensation structure in place means that it is unrealistic to stop players from departing if they are minded to move elsewhere.
Every player and every situation is different but what we can say with certainty is that a number of good prospects have ultimately decided they see their futures elsewhere, it has been a major issue for Sunderland and the consequences have been significant.
They receive a sum for these players (and Hugill will ultimately bring in a fee not far below what George Honeyman brought in) but the results of the U18 and the U23 side tell the story really.
They are competing against academy sides with huge budgets but the reality is, Sunderland have lost so much of their best talent at a time when, actually, they need them the most.
The success of Denver Hume this season shows what the benefits of having a Category One academy in League One should be.
I firmly believe that Elliot Embleton will do the same when he’s fit and firing.
It’s hard to see where the next generation of talent is now going to come from and that has to be a cause of real regret (and it’s also worth considering whether the pathway to the first team is strong enough given that we’re talking about a thirdtier side).
Not all of these players will become Premier League successes but one might, and the opportunity missed there is obvious. The other aspect you raise is a really good one.
Whether or not we accept that players leaving is likely, recruitment and replacing any that do go is key.
So yes, Sunderland are vulnerable in that they are producing talented players through a Category One facility, but surely they should also be seen as a great place to go for players at Category Two and Three academies?
That has to be a massive area for improvement and investment going forward.
The rebuilding of the U18 and the U23 side has to be an absolute priority for the club in the coming months and it needs a commitment from above. Retaining talent is one aspect of that, and adding to it is another.
Results up to U16 level show that there is a lot of talent in the academy, on both the playing and staff side of things. That big Premier League clubs want these players is testament to what the staff are doing and also the talent we have in the region.
I’d end with a couple of further points.
First is that I’m firmly of the belief that compensation levels need to be lifted considerably. It’s too easy for big clubs to hoard talent as the financial risk of them not ultimately progressing is just far too small. I think the fact EFL clubs have effectively shut down their academies tells you something is profoundly wrong.
I would also say that that in the new world we’re moving into, salary caps, squad size limits etc, investment in academiesisgoingtobemore important than it ever has been. This is where the club needs stability at ownership level and long-term strategies on and off the pitch.