Let me divide today’s blog text in 2 parts, as I also had the opportunity to spend some time watching the U15’s of Al Wasl playing against their biggest Dubai rivals, Al Nasr.

Before reaching to the Stadium I thought about my journey in UAE Football.
One of the players I tried to help back in the days was at Al Wasl U23.
I was very curious to see his developments.

But first, I spend my first hour at the Club watching the U15’s, in their local derby against Al Nasr U15.

The same tendency is there, physicality is so important in these ages.

Al Nasr was a much stronger team, physically.

Also technically, but the physical difference is immense.

It got me thinking: once the Clubs are almost within the same location (ie. Around 6km distance), why the difference is so great?

Definitely, the Philosophy, the Culture within the Club.

There’s no other way around it.

At the age of 14, or 15, the performance starts to match the learning processes in terms of progress evaluation of the player. 

It starts to be more than just the player itself, also his/her role at the team, the team’s performance, his/her impact on the team, etc.

More factors to evaluate.

One of them, the physical capabilities.

The risk is, if at this age groups we focus more on one (maybe to get circumstantial advantage) and do not develop others, the long-term vision is directly affected.

On the other side, it got me thinking, is there any specific physical development plan for each player within both teams?
If there is, is that explained to parents?
Are parents aware of their son/daughter stage and future plans?

Youth Development is a team sport, from the field to the backstage. 

Youth Development without the family support, the right Methodology and Players Profile clearly defined has very limited powers.

Not to say that it’s a waste of time and effort.

It’s a triangle that can have a tremendous power, where each part understands their role and if one part is not giving their 100% won’t work.

Club – Player – Family.

All accountable, all responsible in the same proportion, always with the player at the centre.

With that said, I must say that there were a couple of players that really surprised me.

Good talents, good profile.

To watch again.

The U23 Pro League match was starting and I was watching the starting XI of Al Wasl team.

5 expats, all of them playing in the central corridor – 2 CB’s, 2 Midfielders and 1 Striker.

Then, Baniyas, with 2 expat players – 1 CB and 1 Striker.

It’s normal, if you have limitations in the number of expat players, you will want them add value, be your core strength.

But, here again, the physicality was different.

Al Wasl was much stronger, taller, powerful.

Also, with more options on the strategy side.

I was surprised to see them playing offensively with a GK+3+4+3 formation and turning it into a GK+4+4+2 when defending, on the first half.

Very good to see!

Previously, some coaches in Portugal have done that, creating variations within the system, within the match.

Takes time, but that is the way ahead!

I left before the stadium remontada was completed, but I went home thinking about these concepts and how they’re impacting Youth Development and transition to Professional Football:

. Physical capabilities – how can one improve them, nurture them, without replacing the focus on the other capabilities?

. Performance vs Learning – when is the right age to agree that performance is equally important?

. Player Profile – in an environment where everyone will go global (sooner or later) and competition to reach Professional stages and levels will only increase (as it should be), how can we define and then prepare a player profile with the specifics of each Club?

And those thoughts led me to:
. Are Clubs improving all important domains in Youth Development?
. How’s transition done at Clubs?

I will come back to see improvements from these teams.

About the player I knew from before, I was expecting more.

Honestly, I was upset with me first, with my observation skills.

I was looking for more involvement, more impact on the team, more of his technical skills (that are still there).

I wanted more.

But that’s just a definition of me – always looking for more, to improve, to be better, to be the best.

Let me know your thoughts and experiences in your Clubs about all the questions that have popped up my mind.

Join the discussion and let’s improve UAE’s Football!