By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Xavier Parker.
Ever heard of him?
Possibly not, but the former West Ham academy star is currently front and centre of a saga that highlights everything that’s wrong with youth football.
West Ham Lost Him First
The 16-year-old left West Ham’s academy two years ago for the bright lights of Manchester City, believing he could go on to bigger and better things and develop in ways that perhaps weren’t possible at the London Stadium.
The attacking midfielder is viewed as something of a generational talent, and West Ham were understandably frustrated to lose the local youngster after doing everything they could to keep hold of him.
So Parker skedaddled off to Manchester City and spent the best part of two years tearing it up in their youth teams, further cementing his reputation as one of the outstanding young talents in European football.
Perhaps the term ‘wonderkid’ is used too often on these pages, but when it comes to Xavier Parker, it’s probably justified.
Now History Is Repeating Itself
Now, though, Manchester City appear to be getting a taste of their own medicine.
The gifted youngster is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract and instead wants to join Liverpool.
The situation has prompted the usual finger-pointing and accusations of disloyalty, all of which seem to overlook the irony that exactly the same thing happened to West Ham only two years ago.
Some of what I’m saying undoubtedly stems from the disappointment of seeing the club I support lose such a talented youngster after doing so much of the hard work.
Then again, we’ve also benefited from similar circumstances ourselves when Declan Rice joined us after leaving Chelsea’s academy.
Although it should be said, Declan’s club loyalty at least can hardly be questioned because Chelsea released him rather than the other way around.
A Broken System?
What really occurs to me is this:
What chance does the system, or indeed the player himself, really have when youngsters are allowed to move so freely, with agents and football clubs effectively trading children before they’ve achieved anything in the professional game?
I spoke to former West Ham striker Freddie Sears during an interview on Hammers Chat Patreon a few months ago.
Freddie is still playing part-time and, when he isn’t doing that, is expanding his coaching career and has also been involved with West Ham’s academy.
When I spoke to him, he made it very clear that clubs poaching young talent has become a serious problem.
It became obvious after our conversation that the issue is even bigger than even cynical old me had imagined.
Who Actually Wins?
There’s no point crying over the loss of Xavier Parker.
West Ham lost him back in 2024.
But you do have to ask exactly who is benefiting.
From where I’m sitting, neither West Ham, Manchester City nor, so far, the player himself appear to have come out particularly well.
Perhaps Liverpool will eventually enjoy the fruits of everybody else’s labour.
Equally, Parker could drift into obscurity.
And I’m quite sure that for every success story, there are a thousand failures.
To me, that’s the real problem.
It’s a problem with the system itself.
unfortunately, this problem transfers itself to the international stage. following another “almost” performance by Australia at the WC we realise a huge part of our problem is that our national squad rarely ever play together through youth systems here and played alongside each other at that level and then in the senior sides. that is because are taken by clubs like Man City, who bought the new team after 2 years of their inclusion into the A-League. they had to change their colours which caused a row with one the “original” clubs. we have seen so many of our young players disappear overseas never to be heard of again. the outcome is careers destroyed, young thriving clubs and national league suffering quality of football. we are a nation with a small population and we are a code competing with 3 other codes called “football”. that is why i loathe clubs like Chelsea and Man City. they gut our national talent. however, it is also why i love West Ham. i am very proud of how WH have treated our youngsters and those senior players that were at WH have mostly loved the experience. of course, and sadly, the highlight of this point is the one Dylan Tombides. thank you again from Australia 🙌⚒️🇦🇺💪
Many of the super rich teams now hoover up home grown talent irrespective of them believing they will make the first team. Even players that fail for eg Man City can be sold off for smallish fees which are counted as 100% profit by the selling club and helps their PSR to whatever replaced it.
Totally agree, the big clubs totally abuse the youth development of smaller teams and frequently destroy the career of promising youngsters.
The big name clubs can hoover up youngsters then sell them on when they as usual fail to progress to the multi international first team.
But when someone really special is at a club like West Ham how can they keep them? Even for a superstar the best idea is to develop to consistent first team levels then move on surely. Somehow clubs need more protection to make academies really work for the club.
Joe Cole, Rio, Carrick, Glen Johnson, Lampard would never have been at West Ham as along as they were now – they went on to have amazing careers away from us once they were established players.
It’s weighted in favour of the money clubs who can spend millions sweetening the families of these kids and while hat occurs the PL & FA are happy to turn a blind eye as it’s the big clubs they want to see prevail as it promotes their product at home and abroad
The game is corrupt pure and simple
Blame the fans…youth prospect bought in has to cover for a first team regular does not cover himself in glory through nerves etc at a young age and supporters immediately decide he is rubbish he has to go not good enough etc etc…it is no wonder that managers refuse to blood young talent even in games that have little or no impact on standings…..patience and seeing a young talent develop has all but gone the way of the dinosaur sadly….Freddie Potts everyone wanted to see more of him last season and the pressure put on him to perform because as fans we had decided yup he’s one of our own he’s had one maybe two good games and suddenly he is the best thing since sliced bread and even more pressure put on young shoulders so he stops playing his own game and tries to do more which takes away from his play what he is good at and looks poor because of it and so he ends up with the odd appearance as a sub and fans wondering why is that…..we have to encourage and expect mistakes from players coming through and not get on there backs because of a bad pass or mistimed tackle but fans can and are so fickle at times it is no wonder so many Academy players drift away from there various clubs.
Oh blame the fans again. Yep all our fault.
Jesus change the narrative Pat and maybe take a deeper dive into the subject.
Freddie Potts will excel this year because he is a championship level player. No level of willing him to be better will change that.
It’s called a squad for a reason so coaching staff cannot focus just on one player at 1st team level.
Besides what you’re missing is the fact he’s had thousands of hours of category 1 coaching and is turning 23 in a few months. Anderson is 23, let that sink in for a bit.
Not the fans fault, just the pressure of appearing in front of 60 000 + Dad.
Hope he does well in the Championship (if given a chance) – he did very well at Portsmouth, so here’s hoping. Also hope he spent this Summer with an expert coach (not his Dad😊) & he comes back with dribbling skills and a good shot on him! That would catch the eye of NES.
100% agree, particularly about Potts. He & Magassa were good, but his game fell apart (bit dramatic) and he seemed incredibly nervous. Saw him try to do too much (as you mention) in one game, where he stepped up in midfield, but passes went astray. After this he then entered into his shell playing simple passes and nothing else. Also was pushed off the ball too meekly, not fighting back regardless whether other guy had an advantage.
I wonder whether these youngsters on the fringe of the 1st team are just left to their own devices, while in fact they need additional, 1-on-1 extra training to perfect what they are good at and most of all to add to their game. The manager does not have time, the Academy no longer has responsibility for his progress and these players fall between 2 stools.
You have to know they will make mistakes exactly as you say, that PL is hectic on the pitch, they will be targeted/tested by opponents & extra, advanced training is needed with an assigned coach for the whole season, not just a couple of remarks here or there.
Gonzo – the issue is footage of youth players is widely available to anyone in the system. Most use Hudl.
Also the number of scouts at games now, even at U10/U11 academy football is crazy, less so U9s.
But ultimately the people to blame are agents and the parents. Instagram accounts for U7’s showing only the best bits…
Games gone mate.
Perhaps should cap agents fees earned on youth players, to a level that agents will not try and cash in on youngsters out of greed rather than what is best for the player.
Any money earned by anyone, in these transactions could be nominal & salaries to youngsters capped. Whatever is necessary to prevent young players being traded for gain/profit only.
Then competition to earn a youngster’s signature would be down to a club having a good setup, more academy promotion, etc.
Players could then hop from club to club, but for the right reasons and as some have said, from a certain age – 16 (voting age)?
Player below 16 will have agents Peter but they ‘earn’ very little until the player signs professionally with a club.
Most start sniffing around just before scholarship as when a players signs scholar it can add anything up to half a million in the players value if it goes to tribunal, that’s why clubs are so keen to get in early.
In the war in footballing talent whats now happening is clubs are offering pro terms to players early to entice them to sign, and tbh some of the players have zero chance of playing professionally (in my humble opinion) but the cost to the signing team is relatively low so if you have say 1 in 20 with a resale value at a later date the return and risk os still worth taking.
Thanks for the explanation Jimbo 2 – understand a bit better now.
No worries fella and I’m by no means an expert but we’ve been in and around these set ups for 10 years now and it’s a minefield.
I tell you what Jimbo, that’s a great point
Gonzo this post shows all that is wrong with youth football. The club should have the chance of keeping any players they have brought up through their youth system until a set age, say 19 years old. How you could inforce it is another matter.
Agreed Rob, something needs to change mate
It’s not a new problem, if he isn’t playing first team football at 18 he isn’t a generational talent or if he is there is something of the Ravel Morrison about him.
Some players have the technical gifts but not what is required to make it, which is guts and a strong mentality.
Use leg irons to stop them leaving.
It’s a flawed system, but can you offer anything better?