To be honest, unless this lad is genuinely the next Messi, why the rush? He's 15 - even Rooney, who was far more physically developed and strong at a similar age, didn't make his debut until he was almost 17.
JJ Gabriel
- Thread starter top1whoisman
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Yeah Dowman played a game at 15 I believe as he turned 16 this season so was eligible, JJ missed out by a couple of months from being eligible.
As others have pointed out he'll likely just get changed and sleep away from the men's team.
Those aren’t for profit though, friendlies are.
I might be overthinking it, but different countries might have different restrictions on under 16s coming in for work purposes.
He’s picking up steam with the press pack.
He was, but sadly we were kicked out of it early
We all grow at different pace but he is getting close to 16 and I am hoping he has a delayed growth spurt to get a bit taller.
He will need the Ronaldo nutrition program.
He will need the Ronaldo nutrition program.
Impressive nonetheless, transfermarkt has him on 25 goals and 4 assists (4 pens. Doubt he has 11 assists tbf.
Interesting to see his stats vs Greenwood, who was probably the only other player in that list hyped to this extent.
It will be interesting to see him next season in the senior team. If he can replicate the way Greenwood started (let alone deliver better numbers) it will be fantastic. And given we will likely have 55-60 matches next year he may get enough opportunities. Especially considering we lack depth on the wings (although we need back up for Sesko as well)
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Is Gabriel as two footed? Thing that made him such a sure thing was that he could just drill the ball with either foot. A bit more height to his frame too, although Gabriel definitely has time on his side to get a bit taller!
Height not relevant; just needs to keep that insane balance and fill out.
Agree to an extent. The margins are so fine being Amad sized = fine; being Angel Gomes sized = probably not.
As I say though, Gabriel is a 15 year old kid, he’s got time to grow a little and fill out as you mention.
Maradona 5’6
Pelé 5’7
Messi 5’7
Best 5’7
It goes on and on. All with insane balance and centre of gravity. Don’t know how tall he’s destined to be; if he’s “lucky” in the football sense, he’ll get to keep what makes him special and have it allied to elite athleticism. Want him to have that tree trunk core, ideally!
Ravel Morrison exists.
JJ Gabriel reminds of Neymar in play style, and Neymar is 175cm (about 5”9)
Ravel barely turned up for games and missed months during his witness intimidation caseHis impact on the games he played left an impression, but he wasn't consistently available to make an impact to join these ranks
Yeah, with his twists and turns and the way he weaves, you really don’t want him taller than that (in the football sense) for the style he has. As you get taller, the style changes as does the posture, although Giggs, 5’11, was freakish for being able to keep himself compact and still be able to open up into full stride running in a more upright style.
That twisty style of Gabriel’s is going to be demanding on the knees. It would be helpful for him if he’s destined to be shorter rather than taller, imo.
Definitely can see where the Neymar comparison could come in, especially the teenage version.
I hope that it doesn’t happen very often. He’s a 15 year old kid who looks like a kid. He’s not ready yet for mens football.
He will be 16 next year, that’s when Yamal began playing for Barcelona. less physical league there - but we will have many matches, including hopefully some not difficult ones in Europe
Sir Alex said he was the best teenager hed ever seen, above Giggs and Rooney. All the players and coaches who were around him shared similar sentiment and have spoke about it over the years.
His impact on the games he played left an impression, but he wasn't consistently available to make an impact to join these ranks
He was extremely highly rated coming through, and for what can only imagine is his off field issues and the career he had, his history has been rewritten. He played in the same fa cup youth winning team as Pogba and was rated higher than him.
But anyway this is about JJ, I'm merely mentioning out of that list Ravel was also hyped, thats it.
He will turn 16 in October, but physically he has the build of a 14 year old kid. Thats what he is, a kid. A few 10-20 mins here and there but hoping we manage his development very carefully. We shouldn’t expect too much from him yet.
Side note: With inches it looks closer, yet Diego with1.65 was a proper midget. Pele was around 1.73/4, Messi 1.70, trully don't know about Georgie
This guys future at the club all depends on who the manager is. Have another Amorim and he will be packing his bags to live it up elsewhere. The talent and performances are there, reward him next season.
Carrick will if hes in charge but cant be so sure about other possible candidates.
Never understood it, talent young players not given a chance or even eased in. Then end up spend a gazillion on a 21/22 year old after 1 good season in league (Baleba).
Carrick will if hes in charge but cant be so sure about other possible candidates.
Never understood it, talent young players not given a chance or even eased in. Then end up spend a gazillion on a 21/22 year old after 1 good season in league (Baleba).
What talented young kid haven't we given a chance to that has gone on to perform elsewhere?
Pogba, Garner
Rossi
Worst possible time for him to try to break through with first having to compete with Ruud, Rooney, Smith, Saha and Ole to an extent, then later Rooney, Ronaldo, Saha and Tévez (if he had stayed).
If we're going by legacy elsewhere, then surely Piqué is the top mentioned, then again he was up against Rio and Vidic and had to compete with local lad and then equally talented Jonny Evans for the backup role.
Pogba would have got chances but as soon as Raiola became his agent he was always off elsewhere. They weren't going to give him game time if he wasn't committed to the club.
Garner was unlucky with the timing, but I'm of the opinion he'd still be no more than a squad player. Leaving was the right move, and we got decent money at the time.
Rossi's peak was playing for Villarreal. He went on to be an ok player but had terrible injuries, which maybe stopped him reaching a higher level.
I don't think we should regret any of these players leaving, other than Pogba and that's only because we spent so much money bringing him back!
He also wanted to go back to Barca. He only left there because his grandad worked for the club or something and they dicked him about. They kissed and made up so he decided to go back to Barca.
Are we talking about the same club?
Yeah, but he also cited lack of gametime both at the time and potentially in the future, in addition to Sir Alex not even trying to stand in his way when he asked to leave.
Pogba is around 15 years ago, Garner played a bit, but wasn't at the level required at the time. But sure you could count him. That's still 1 player, it's not indicative of us not giving youngsters a chance is it.
The one thing United are known for is giving kids a chance.
what's his best position?
CF apparently, but could also play AM and both wings. Versatile. But given our current squad needs, probably LF/LW would suit him best
if he's comfortable playing on the left then clearly he should get a chance next season in some cup matches
The way he plays from what I've seen will translate to a #10 or a left winger at 1st team level. He's only 15 though so who knows how his body develops, and once it develops, what type of player he'll be. If it just goes the way he's playing now then I would assume either on the left if he turns more direct, or a 10 if he gets more of the composure side.
Think the rush is because those close to him are pushing for it and he's been close to leaving already
Also because while new Messi he is not, new Neymar he might become. And we would benefit from such talent in the squad