Someone will now come with the phrase "If you are good enough then you are old enough" but 14 is too young in my opinion.Tweet
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14-year-old Evan Ferguson
- Thread starter Sean_RedDevil
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For a moment, I thought he was the grandson of Sir Alex. I agree, 14 is too young.
Even I feel old at 20 when reading these
14 is too young to play professionally. He might get injured.
Imagine a 14 years old being tackled by a pro footballer
Imagine a 14 years old being tackled by a pro footballer
If you are good enough then you are old enough.
That is ridiculously young to be playing competitive senior football. And I feel ridiculously old discussing it!
Did anyone say they feel old disgusting it?
6 minutes here and there isn't going to ruin him.
Ødegaard was 3-4 months older when he was playing and dominating in the top flight.
Ødegaard was 3-4 months older when he was playing and dominating in the top flight.
Worked out fine for Adu 
And Cherno SambaWorked out fine for Adu
Played against Chelsea in pre-season and done well. Apparently a-lot of top clubs are chasing him. Mental to be playing first team football at that age, though.
Have anyone else noticed this or is it just me feeling old. I see youngsters these days, who look like grown men at the age of 15/16.
I have a couple of nephews who are 6' tall and muscular, and still only 15. They go to the gym 4 times a week, and swim every other day.
I have a couple of nephews who are 6' tall and muscular, and still only 15. They go to the gym 4 times a week, and swim every other day.
A quick google and he seems to be 6"3, i think he'll handle himself
I've met 12 year olds who were 175cm and above. Not sure about the stature of this lad but you can get some kids who are the size of an average fully grown adult.
As long as they handle this kid in the right way and don't place too many demands on him then I'm sure he'll be fine.
As long as they handle this kid in the right way and don't place too many demands on him then I'm sure he'll be fine.
Wasn't Falcao playing in the Colombian league at that age?
Playing a 14 year old in men’s football is utterly irresponsible, regardless of how excited football fans get about it.
What is irresponsible about it in your opinion?
If you're shit enough opponents will pick 14 year olds to play against you or you'll lose your place in the team to one.
Backwater league innit?
Backwater league innit?
Everything.
Physically and emotionally he's going through puberty and therefore in a time of his life where growth is key. The risk of playing adult football compared to U-15 level or even U-18 level at his age is immense in terms of physicality.
Everything. Every single grubby aspect of it. From the fact that he is still at an extraordinarily precarious age, both emotionally and physically, to the fact that, as SW says, he’s a child undergoing puberty in a dressing room filled with adults, none of who are qualified to deal with his particular circumstances (without even considering that most of those people won’t have undergone vetting or even have the barest of ideas as to the safeguarding issues that may arise, however unintentionally).
The risk of damage, in a multitude of ways, is so patent that I’m staggered anyone can look at this and not feel uncomfortable. This isn’t the 60s. We know what sort of harm this kind of thing can do and football isn’t nearly important enough to throw a child into a workplace - one that will involve hundreds and thousands of the ‘customers’ baying for blood when things go wrong - just because, and let’s be honest here, they’re hoping they can punt him on for a million quid in the near future.
I think you both make good points and I don't really disagree, however I think as long as there are people looking out for him and the club and the parents are close then there is an appropriate way to manage him.
Wasn't Martin Ødegaard playing in the Norwegian top flight at 15?
It all depends how bulked he is. Lukaku and Fellaini at 14 were bigger and stronger than a lot of professionals.
Hes 14. A child.
Shouldn't be playing senior football no matter what size he is. Hes a child with a childs brain.
What has the standard of the league got to do with it?
I thought he was related to Fergie initially. I would have said, "sod playing, make him our manager now..."
I’d border on saying it’s negligence. He could get seriously hurt at that age.
Overall I totally agree with you. However, exceptions should be made for super gifted that can easily demotivate on youth football.
Maybe a once off cameo appearance... or the odd appearance.
Not regular at that age.
Because it wouldn't happen in a good league.
If a 14 year old is good enough to win a place in your squad you have a shit squad. If a 14 year old is good enough to play against you and not look out of place then once again you're shit. That this happened in a game between the 3rd and 4th best teams says a lot about the standard of football.
Edit: I was trying to be a bit clever too, reversing "if you're good enough, you're old enough" into if "you're bad enough, a 14 year old will steal your place".
Yeah you make no sense.
The kid was played as a headline grabber by a team ravaged by injury. Hes not good enough. Hes 14. There was 30 other options from all of the other youth teams.
He wasn't played because he's the messiah.
It's a minefield for child protection and I'm really surpised any club would open themselves to the potential problems this could thow up. Apart from the obvious dangers emotionally and physically to a child - for that is what he is - being immersed in an adult world.
Lads, its Bohemian.
Doesn't that just bolster my point?
Only teams in bad leagues would resort to picking a 14 year old when they have an an injury crisis because well-run clubs in decent leagues wouldn't need to. Even moreso if he's not not actually good enough and they're picking him to get in the papers. No serious team needs the press that badly.
So yeah, the standard of football is relevant.
Is this the real life?
Clubs can be well run whether in a good league or a Sunday morning league for over 40s in Africa.
Look at Man United FFS. In a great league but so poorly ran.
Dont confuse standard of football's with shite management decisions
I too am 20. I feel like a complete fecking pensioner.
Lars is sad.
He was on trial with United 2 years ago. Liverpool showing a lot of interest in him as well
At 14 I was bigger than any of the adults and had no issue with maturity so no isnt irresponsible
Good for you?