Shea Lacey

top1whoisman

Meet the press(conference)
Scout
Joined
May 18, 2016
Messages
22,705
Location
Helsinki
Name: Shea Lacey
DOB: 14/4/2007
Place or birth: Liverpool
Position: RW/AM
Preferred foot: Left

One of England's biggest talents in the 2007 age group, Lacey made his United U18s debut last October and scored his first goal at that level in January against Wolves. He's got four U15 caps in which he scored two goals, and this season he's played for England U16s four times as well, scoring one and assisting one in the process.

Very good close control and a skillful dribbler. A brilliant left foot, Lacey can finish from a distance and is a bit of a free kick specialist. Fast and tricky and likes to take on defenders. He's also got a pretty good eye for a pass and can can create chances out of nothing, from the wing or playing behind the striker.

Obviously at his age he's quite small for the U18s, but the club has once again done a good job of finding the big academy talents the right challenges and obstacles at the right time. I have a feeling he'll really come into his own in the U18 PL next season. And considering his size, he's done very well so far and compensates the lack of height with smart movement on and off the ball. He's such a natural with the ball at his feet, one of our gems in the academy.

His older brother Paddy was also a professional footballer, here's quite a nice interview with him, talking a lot about Shea too.

Here's a more in-depth lowdown of Lacey from a Polish scout.

His trademark finish against Wolves U18s:




Obligatory YouTube highlights:



 
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He's been called up to the England U16 squad again. Alongside Fletch's sons (think it's time to get them back from their long "loan" to City?).

 
On Lacey: He is fantastic, the type of player I would love to see be given a shot on Tour even this early in his career, if the right departures happen this summer then I think he may have a real chance.
 
Stobzilla said:
On Lacey: He is fantastic, the type of player I would love to see be given a shot on Tour even this early in his career, if the right departures happen this summer then I think he may have a real chance.
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Not a chance
 
Stobzilla said:
On Lacey: He is fantastic, the type of player I would love to see be given a shot on Tour even this early in his career, if the right departures happen this summer then I think he may have a real chance.
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Beaucoup said:
Not a chance
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Yeah I agree. I mean at the moment there’s Antony, Sancho & Pellistri in the first team + Amad doing very well on loan, all in Lacey’s position.

Even if we somehow sold two of them, there’d still be two ahead of him. And then there’s U21s like Shoretire who’d probably get the chance if a space opened up for the tour.

In the AM position there’s a lot of traffic ahead of him too; Bruno, (Eriksen), vdB, Iqbal, Hannibal(?), Hansen-Aarøen, Forson (see him as more of a winger)…

Depending on how he grows and fills out, I can definitely see him having a chance to go the Rashford/MG/Garnacho route and becoming a first team player without exploring the loan path. But even then next summer is too soon.

Anyway he’s one of our brightest talents out of players born 2007 or before. Nehemiah is another one but I haven’t heard much from him recently, apart from the cameo against Derby in the U18 PL.
 
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Fletcher's sons must be decently rated for them to be constantly being picked in England U 16s. Time to bring them home.
 
top1whoisman said:
He's been called up to the England U16 squad again. Alongside Fletch's sons (think it's time to get them back from their long "loan" to City?).

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Can we safely count Harry Amass as United player now? Or is the deal still far?
@Beaucoup @jb8521
 
KM said:
Fletcher's sons must be decently rated for them to be constantly being picked in England U 16s. Time to bring them home.
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Apparently, only one of Fletcher’s sons represents England currently (Jack).The other represents Scotland. Luca Fletcher in the England squad is no relation.

I didn’t know this but just did a quick google on them as I was unaware Fletcher had some promising footballers for sons until I read this thread.
 
It would be really weird to have basically key man of the Academy who is former player whose sons have quality and play for city rival. On the other hand, after sale, I would not bet Fletcher will be in position he is now.
 
OldRed1 said:
Why not? Have you inside knowledge or something.
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No, I don't have, just I think that if either Qatar or Rat took over (and no other options I think), they will change everything sooner or later as all the stuff in the club on those positions are far away from elite. It is obviously that Murtough is learning his trade, and he is a little bit better than before, but he is far away from top level. If someone invest 5bn in the business, I would think he would try to get the best ones in charge, not someone who is learning. With Fletcher, if you have someone to attract players to the club (and he was in the news a lot of time as a man who is talking with players and selling them vision and club) and his own sons did not buy his story, I really don't think it is great for the club. As I said, just a bet, but in 12 months after the sale, I think no one from the top levels of the current structure won't be in positions.
 
KevinJoh said:
No, I don't have, just I think that if either Qatar or Rat took over (and no other options I think), they will change everything sooner or later as all the stuff in the club on those positions are far away from elite. It is obviously that Murtough is learning his trade, and he is a little bit better than before, but he is far away from top level. If someone invest 5bn in the business, I would think he would try to get the best ones in charge, not someone who is learning. With Fletcher, if you have someone to attract players to the club (and he was in the news a lot of time as a man who is talking with players and selling them vision and club) and his own sons did not buy his story, I really don't think it is great for the club. As I said, just a bet, but in 12 months after the sale, I think no one from the top levels of the current structure won't be in positions.
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Could that be his doing so as not seen to be showing favouritism to his own boys if they are selected for one of the junior sides.
 
Starts for England U16s in the Montaigu tournament final against Japan. You can watch the match live here.
 
OldRed1 said:
Could that be his doing so as not seen to be showing favouritism to his own boys if they are selected for one of the junior sides.
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Also quite understandable that they joined City given at the time there will have been justifiable question marks about the state of our academy, and it's not as simple as just uprooting and moving them over.
 
Played the full match in the Montaigu tournament final and scored the winning penalty in the shootout. A really good overall performance from Lacey once again. Created a few good chances with his runs inside and chips behind the line.

 
KM said:
Fletcher's sons must be decently rated for them to be constantly being picked in England U 16s. Time to bring them home.
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It's a bit strange that that isn't massively frowned upon within the club. Our technical director has so little faith in the club's own coaching structures that he has his kids across the road. Just looks bad optically.
 
Lacey definitely has something about him. His close control in tight quarters is really good. What do people who watch him regularly think of him? Good attitude/consistent?
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
It's a bit strange that that isn't massively frowned upon within the club. Our technical director has so little faith in the club's own coaching structures that he has his kids across the road. Just looks bad optically.
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I’d personally find it a bit weird, not sure how the club feels about it.
 
Any chance you guys move the Fletcher talk to another thread or create a new one? Thank you.
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
Lacey definitely has something about him. His close control in tight quarters is really good. What do people who watch him regularly think of him? Good attitude/consistent?
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Long way to go in terms of decision-making, understanding of the collective dynamics, physical development and tactical rigor, but he seems to have a good attitude. If all goes well over the next 3-4 years, we would basically have our own version of Foden or Saka — the potential is that high. Though considering he does a good portion of his best work through the central and inside channels, he could also be destined for a full-time attacking midfield role (as a #10 ahead of a double pivot or as the most advanced member of a midfield 3 (à la Silva or Ødegaard)). Baby steps for now, however — he hasn't even made a proper mark at U-18 level, and needs to improve in several departments.
 
top1whoisman said:
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I mean, not to be a debbie downer here but if the first team was tied 2-2 at home against Wolves in the 80th minute and he gave it away trying an ambitious, curling 35 yard pass instead of taking the simple option out wide, people would say its time for a loan so he can get some maturity etc etc

But, he does kinda look like a Bukayo-esque to me. Same body type, playing out on the right wing but capable of gliding past defenders in 1v1 situations in either direction, right towards the byline or to the left where he can shoot. Hopefully he continues to improve!
 
Sea-Cow said:
I mean, not to be a debbie downer here but if the first team was tied 2-2 at home against Wolves in the 80th minute and he gave it away trying an ambitious, curling 35 yard pass instead of taking the simple option out wide, people would say its time for a loan so he can get some maturity etc etc

But, he does kinda look like a Bukayo-esque to me. Same body type, playing out on the right wing but capable of gliding past defenders in 1v1 situations in either direction, right towards the byline or to the left where he can shoot. Hopefully he continues to improve!
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Well he's lucky then as he's only turned 16 and has years to improve his decision-making. Having the courage to try the more difficult pass can also lead to game winners. You'd rather have the confidence to try to do the unexpected than play it safe as a 16-year old winger/attacking midfielder.
 
Sea-Cow said:
I mean, not to be a debbie downer here but if the first team was tied 2-2 at home against Wolves in the 80th minute and he gave it away trying an ambitious, curling 35 yard pass instead of taking the simple option out wide, people would say its time for a loan so he can get some maturity etc etc
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The kid turned 16 about a week ago. I hope you’re joking.
 
top1whoisman said:
Well he's lucky then as he's only turned 16 and has years to improve his decision-making. Having the courage to try the more difficult pass can also lead to game winners.
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Indeed! I was mostly being a smartass about fans being overly critical, not really about the actual player and pass. Just in case someone thinks I was actually criticizing a kid in a U18 match.
 
Sea-Cow said:
Indeed! I was mostly being a smartass about fans being overly critical, not really about the actual player and pass. Just in case someone thinks I was actually criticizing a kid in a U18 match.
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That's why I think it's great that most United/football fans don't watch the academy games. They'd find the players' social media accounts and fill their inboxes with racial abuse and death threats.
 
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