Unpopular opinion = our academy is over rated.

Agreed. But it is getting there. And it is better than it was a decade ago.

The Academy is a work in progress. and is more of a revenue generator than a first team player factory. The Zaha's of this world only come around once in every 10 years or so, so a 'conveyor belt' it is not. Hopefully, as it gets better, youngsters will choose our academy over the likes of Chelsea, and we can start seeing more progress - but I don't expect many to make it.

As far as clubs nicking our best Talent, there's only one way to avoid this, and that's being successful ourselves. That's why this Summer is so important. Lose our talent and we're back to being mid-table at best. But keep them, albeit for only one season, and we could soar, get into Europe ourselves and maybe keep them longer.

We've got a real chance to see how high we can go, 1 or 2 can be replaced without too much disruption, any more than that and it's a lottery of 'how quickly can the new signings settle'.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Yup it is a valid point. We may have to sell players because they want out or the club needs funds, that is life.

However a strategy of selling players because others of similar ability will come along from our academy or poached from another club, that is a strategy doomed to failure.

Sooner or later we would sell too many and not replace them with like for like.

My guess is that Parish and Dougie would prefer to keep the talent we uncover and only sell when we have to.

We could have sold Zaha several times in his second Palace career. On balance I think not selling was the right decision there were seasons when he single handedly kept us up. Yes we could have got £50m for him but for every season we have stayed up we have earned over £100m.

Edited by Badger11 (03 Jun 2024 12.06pm)

One more point

I agree, but the unknown is release clauses, i will not be unhappy if we sell Guehi and Olise for 120m and get Kamada and Ryad for 12m.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

you are correct. For us to sell our talent for crazy money is good business. Much as it will hurt the feelings of our younger fans, money trumps sentiment.

And football is all about money these days. But a conveyor-belt of Zaha's is a nice idea in theory. Almost impossible to achieve in reality.

But then again, all we really need for success is to have better recruitment than Fulham, Leicester, Brentford etc. And surely that is something that is attainable ?

Kayla did Anfield & Old Trafford