JJ Gabriel

[Fortitude]

You can be a very good player also without speed. But to be a word class player, you need speed. Max Dowman for exemple has top skills and also great acceleration: word class potential. Jj Gabriel, i've only seen him on video, so my is more of a question than a statement, but he seems to me he isn't fast. Is this correct?

“Speed” is such a broad and nebulous term. What do you mean exactly? Acceleration? Mid-line? Top end? You need some types more than others dependant on your position; acceleration is typically the most important of all because it enables you to do what you want in the pocket of separation you can create in a flash and Gabriel has that in abundance. Not only that, he has extraordinary agility, which if his body (knees) can cope with straight into adulthood, you have a player who will be a nightmare to contain.

Having said that, 15 is no real age to judge “speed” outside of freak, rare players who are rapid from schoolboy straight through to their full career (kids likely there or thereabouts the top sprinters in their age group across counties or even more).

Gabriel’s agility is what stands out as spectacular at the moment; he’ll have a field day if that maintains 1:1.

 

[Brazilian_Ronaldo_9]

You can be a very good player also without speed. But to be a word class player, you need speed. Max Dowman for exemple has top skills and also great acceleration: word class potential. Jj Gabriel, i've only seen him on video, so my is more of a question than a statement, but he seems to me he isn't fast. Is this correct?

It’s hard to judge because he’s playing against older players. He’s still young and needs developing physically, he’s quick but not elite level fast.

But I disagree you need pace to be world class. Theres plenty of decently players who have great dribbling, ball control and shooting/passing that make up for speed.

 

[romanian_fan]

It’s hard to judge because he’s playing against older players. He’s still young and needs developing physically, he’s quick but not elite level fast.

But I disagree you need pace to be world class. Theres plenty of decently players who have great dribbling, ball control and shooting/passing that make up for speed.

I think your final speed numbers will settle in after 18 years of age.

I started football at 6 and was by a mile faster than anyone until 12-14(at 14 I was faster than players in the under 18). The next two years puberty hit hard and, while I was still the fastest in the first 20 meters, after that I was slow (not gassing out), just slow. Growing takes a lot of energy from the body in some people. By the time I'm 18 I'm again the fastest by a country mile, even after having torn knee ligaments at 15.

JJ will grow soon and will succumb to the genetic lottery of puberty and then we'll find out. To me, now, he looks slow after the first 20-25 meters but that will change once he's fully grown.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Of course it does, he has a target on his back. Wonder kid etc. If your the opposition your gonna go in harder on him. I would if I was playing against him.

So one of our players purposely injured Downan?

He’ll have an even bigger target on his back at u18s and u21s level. As evidenced by Dowman getting injured in an u21s friendly, not senior football. Your example makes no sense and shows the complete opposite if anything. Dowman was injured while developing out of the limelight.

You’re far more likely to come across idiots like yourself who purposely injure players at underage level as well. No one in the Premier League cares about hurting a teenager.

 

[CallyRed]

God forbid he played any part in that game yesterday and he made a wrong decision, like taking a shot with a low XG.

 

[Tallis]

From next season, he actually has a decent pathway to the first team if he sticks around.

We have 0 left wingers but 2 RW. At best, we would buy 1 LW which would open the second LW slot for him. He definitely has an X factor so would be keen to see how that translates into senior football.