Yellow and Green 334 Posted August 31, 2020 It was mentioned a while ago on the main site but Ruben Shakpoke, a 16 year old striker from our academy, seems to be close to joining Villa. He seems to be a bright prospect, having once scored 11 goals in a game and representing England at u15 level. It must be frustrating for the club, considering our business model is based on developing youth players. It is similar to Wolves nicking Benny Ashley-Seal a couple of years ago. Will we get any compensation? Considering that we have just spent 5 million on the academy infrastructure and have a clear pathway to the first team, it's difficult to understand why these kids are so keen to leave and what more we can do to keep them. Money? It'd be great to hear Webber's thoughts on this. https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/shakpoke-set-to-join-aston-villa-from-norwich-city-1-6773701 https://en.africatopsports.com/2020/08/27/ruben-shakpoke-nigeria-promising-striker-departing-norwich-city/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Fred 526 Posted August 31, 2020 Why don’t you write to him directly rather than posting on the pinkun? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Greenthumb 742 Posted August 31, 2020 3 hours ago, Yellow and Green said: It was mentioned a while ago on the main site but Ruben Shakpoke, a 16 year old striker from our academy, seems to be close to joining Villa. He seems to be a bright prospect, having once scored 11 goals in a game and representing England at u15 level. It must be frustrating for the club, considering our business model is based on developing youth players. It is similar to Wolves nicking Benny Ashley-Seal a couple of years ago. Will we get any compensation? Considering that we have just spent 5 million on the academy infrastructure and have a clear pathway to the first team, it's difficult to understand why these kids are so keen to leave and what more we can do to keep them. Money? It'd be great to hear Webber's thoughts on this. https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/shakpoke-set-to-join-aston-villa-from-norwich-city-1-6773701 https://en.africatopsports.com/2020/08/27/ruben-shakpoke-nigeria-promising-striker-departing-norwich-city/ Villa are a bigger club than Norwich. He’s got a while to wait, if they are integrating youth now. As Louie Barry will be the next striker through for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A Load of Squit 5,066 Posted August 31, 2020 It's just the way it is, we've 'nicked' players from other clubs academies (like Adshead) and we've lost playes to other clubs academies. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,518 Posted August 31, 2020 Who knows. Young players might be unhappy, have personality clashes with other youngsters or coaching staff, think they will get better opportunities elsewhere, might have friends at other clubs, be offered more money, have their heads turned, or just the kind of people who can't settle anywhere. Or it could just be a case of the grass is always greener elsewhere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy_Bones 441 Posted August 31, 2020 Does seem a bit of a strange one, as we've shown there is a clear route to the first team under our current strategy and structure, we are highly focused on our academy and developing youth, so I find it unlikely that this is the reason for a young player wanting to leave. There's obviously some other reason as to why he feels Villa are a better fit for him at this point, and that's up to him, and unless someone has genuine info as to why he wants to, then meaningless speculation will acheive nothing. Benny Ashley-Seal thought the grass was greener at Wolves, but so far he's made zero impact and spent the past 2 years being loaned out, maybe it will work out for him long-term, but at present it could potentially have been him on the bench instead of Idah, so I wonder if he has any second thoughts, or if Shakpoke will either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxy2600 281 Posted August 31, 2020 Confused??? Is he Nigerian (not home grown) or English ...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
All the Germans 1,070 Posted August 31, 2020 36 minutes ago, Foxy2600 said: Confused??? Is he Nigerian (not home grown) or English ...... You can be Nigerian and count as home grown. It is not where you are born that counts towards being classed as homegrown or not. Krul is homegrown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites