Expert: Man City must make ‘big changes’ as multiple new Premier League rules introduced
Man City are among the clubs that must further develop their aftercare programme for released youngsters.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in data analysis.
As relayed by Training Ground Guru last Tuesday (28 June), the Premier League has urged all top-flight and EFL clubs to provide three-year support programmes to released academy players.
The recommendation was included in a raft of new rules for the youth development phase, including the requirement for all clubs to have their own dedicated player care manager.
Crystal Palace are currently the only team to offer a three-year academy aftercare programme.
City reviewed their processes with released youngsters in the aftermath of the tragic death by suicide of 18-year-old former academy player Jeremy Wisten in October 2020.
Dinnery explained why it is so vital for clubs to prepare young players for life after football.
“These are big changes and they are important if we want to minimise the risk of any tragic incidents,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Young players who have been in the system for 10-plus years, this is their life. A high percentage of those players won’t go on to a full-time contract. So, there is always going to be a period of transition.
“You need to know what the next steps are and know that there is more to life than football. Of course, there is going to be that initial fear and trauma when you realise that football might not be your future.
“There are going to be times when you miss the friendships and structure that it gives you. Hopefully, these clubs can create better all-around humans with the skills to adapt to life after football.
“That isn’t going to happen overnight. You need to provide that safety net for players to come back. They need guidance. Clubs definitely have a duty of care to make sure that these young players are moving on safely.”
In other news, pundit suggests Man City could U-turn on Serge Gnabry after Sky transfer update.