Project Footballer

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Platts, a career coach and leading researcher in football career trajectories. Chris holds a PhD focused on the lives of over 300 young footballers and has led one of the largest independent studies into player career pathways.We dive deep into the real data behind football development, uncovering what it truly takes to “make it” in the game—and how parents can better support their children through the realities of academy football.

In this episode, we're joined by Jenny and Jeriah Boateng, a mother-son duo with an incredible story. Jeriah is an academy footballer, paving the way for his younger brother Zachary, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring.Jeriah, at just 11 years old, has already made waves both on and off the pitch. After experiencing racism at school, he channeled his emotions into writing a book, Back in Time, which helps parents discuss racism with their young children. His story is a powerful reminder of how challenges can be turned into opportunities for growth and education.Jenny opens up about what it's like raising academy footballers while managing a family of four, sharing valuable insights on balancing football, school, and life. She also offers advice to parents navigating the academy system, emphasizing the importance of patience, resilience, and fostering multiple passions in young athletes.

In this episode, we sit down with one of our biggest guests to date! Troy Deeney is known to many as a Watford legend, and most certainly a player who enjoyed ruffling the feathers of defenders and fans all around the country.  Since his retirement, Troy had a management spell at Forest Green Rovers, however now spends the majority of his time raising his son and daughter. We discuss with Troy the ins and outs of raising children of a professional footballer and whether or not he believes they have what it takes to make it as footballers!  Expect to learn how you would raise the perfect footballer, from a retired pro who has gone through so much! This is an episode you cannot miss...

In this episode I sit down with two of the leaders in Wycombe's bold academy vision! Academy Director Jeremy Sauer and Chairman & Chief Football Office Dan Rice offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wycombe's ambitious plans to build one of the leading academies in the UK. In May 2024 Wycombe Wanders was purchased by the billionaire owner Mikheil Lomtadze through his company Blue Ocean Partners. Mikel and his partners had been looking for a professional club in England without an academy so they could build one from scratch. After great research Wycombe Wanderers came out as the perfect opportunity with its geographical proximity to football talent and its incredible football history and culture. Expect to learn how you would create the perfect academy if you were starting one from scratch and what goes into the process from club playing style to how to building the facilities.

In this episode, Marcelo and I have the pleasure of speaking with Peter Sturgess, the Ex-Head of Futsal for the FA. Peter is thought of by many as one of the best youth coaches in England, and is responsible for so much of the great work done by the FA in recent years which led to vast improvements in our national team. Join us as we dive deep into the help Peter had in creating much of the foundation phase coaching courses in England, as well as his role as Head of Futsal for the FA. Expect to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of youth football coaching, the importance futsal has on today's generation and the ongoing journey to produce world-class talent, especially in England! Whether you're a coach, a parent, or just a passionate football fan, this conversation is packed with knowledge and perspectives you won't want to miss!

This week, the Coach Raf and Sean discuss all things tactics after Manchester City's last gasp equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

In this episode, we chat about the big issues in youth soccer in the USA. Did you know that 75% of kids quit playing by age 14? We explore why that's happening and how the focus on winning is making the game less fun and stifling creativity. We compare the American approach to soccer with what's working in countries like Brazil and the UK, where kids have more freedom to play and grow their skills naturally. We also touch on the impact of the expensive pay-to-play system and how it keeps many talented kids from getting a fair shot. Whether you're a coach, parent, or just love soccer, this episode offers some real insights on how we can make the sport more enjoyable and accessible for everyone. It's all about helping the next generation of players fall in love with the game and reach their full potential.

In this episode, Darius and I have the pleasure of speaking with John Allpress, the original creator of the FA Coaching Awards. These awards have evolved into the Youth Module courses currently used across England, shaping our football coaching culture and contributing to the development of the talented players we see in our national senior team today. Join us as we dive deep into what the FA tasked John with creating in his groundbreaking coaching courses, the goals they aimed to achieve, and how these initiatives have directly influenced the current state of English football. We'll also explore how the Premier League manages academies without dictating the coaching philosophy, the importance of fostering a positive learning environment for young players, and the crucial role that both coaches and parents play in developing future stars. Expect to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of youth football coaching, the evolution of coaching methods in England, and the ongoing journey to produce world-class talent. Whether you're a coach, a parent, or just a passionate football fan, this conversation is packed with knowledge and perspectives you won't want to miss!

In this episode, Marcelo and I speak to Richard Allen. Richard Allen is the former Head of Talent ID for the FA as well as Head of Recruitment for Tottenham and Academy Director for QPR. He was responsible for creating the original Talent ID courses that govern how we scout in England today. These courses range from teaching scouts at the grassroots level what they should look for and how academy directors should manage their heads of recruitment and their scouting departments. We ask the question have academies in England got this right? Expect to learn how English recruitment works, the English talent ID model,the psychological and social factors which helped Harry Kane get scouted and much much more

Join us for an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the journey of our special guest, Matt Jarvis, as he shares his incredible story of determination, resilience, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. From his early days of being sport-crazy, juggling football, swimming, and athletics, to the heart-wrenching moment of being released at 16, and finally, to his triumphant return to football, Matt's journey is a testament to the power of nurturing sporting talent. Parents, coaches, and young athletes will find practical advice on balancing multiple sports, dealing with setbacks, and fostering a competitive yet healthy environment. Discover how nature and nurture play pivotal roles in youth football development, and gain insights into the mindset and training techniques that can help your child excel. Whether you're a parent looking to support your child's dreams, a coach aiming to inspire, or an aspiring young footballer, this episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life experiences. Stay tuned until the end for Matt's key advice on parenting in football and the importance of letting children find their own passion. Don't miss out on these valuable lessons from football legends and experts! Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics, or being born into a football family? Follow us on social platforms for more exclusive content and updates!

Join us as we discuss the world of academy signings and uncover the truth behind some horror stories involving player recruitment. Learn why it's crucial for parents to be informed about the process and how to navigate the tricky landscape of youth football. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just love inspiring stories of determination and success, this episode offers valuable lessons and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a football legend. Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics or being born into a football family.

Join us on a journey with SE Dons as they discuss how learning dark arts develops football IQ! Get ready for an inside look at the Sunday League football team that's changing the game. Don't forget to subscribe for more exciting episodes like this! Follow their journey from humble beginnings to becoming a renowned Sunday League team with a massive global following. Get ready to learn how strategic play and clever tactics can elevate your performance on the field. Don't forget to hit subscribe for more engaging content and valuable football tips! Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just love inspiring stories of determination and success, this episode offers valuable lessons and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a football legend. Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics or being born into a football family.

In this episode, we speak to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, one of the Premier League's most legendary midfielders. From early childhood training under his father's watchful eye to becoming a football icon, Lampard shares personal anecdotes and insights that shaped his career. Discover the intense and unique training methods that set him apart from an early age, the motivations and expectations placed upon him before he was even born, and how these experiences influenced his approach to football and life. Lampard also reflects on the evolution of football training, the challenges of youth development, and his philosophy on coaching and parenting in the modern era. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just love inspiring stories of determination and success, this episode offers valuable lessons and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a football legend. Could you develop your child into a footballer if you followed the 'perfect' formula? Sean Conlon, the founder of We Make Footballers and a Scout with Chelsea believes some people can. Follow our journey to discovering what it really takes to become a footballer. How much is down to luck, genetics or being born into a football family. Don't miss out on our latest updates and exclusive content! Follow us on our other social platforms: https://www.instagram.com/projectfootballer/ Join us on this journey of empowerment and growth in youth football.

In this episode, we speak to youth mentor Eric Friedlander, Eric shares his personal journey from a young footballer to becoming a mentor and big brother figure for aspiring players. Gain valuable knowledge on navigating the challenges of youth football, developing essential skills beyond the pitch, and shaping a successful career in the sport.

Join us as we explore the crucial role of extreme discipline in the success of the world's top athletes. Ruben shares his firsthand experiences working with some of the most accomplished athletes globally, shedding light on the mindset, routines, and habits that set them apart. From meticulously crafted training regimens to the finer nuances of nutrition and recovery, Ruben breaks down the components of elite athletic performance and the unwavering discipline required to achieve it. Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or simply curious about the secrets behind peak performance, this episode offers invaluable wisdom and inspiration. Tune in now to gain exclusive access to the mindset of champions and discover how extreme discipline can propel you to new heights in your athletic pursuits and beyond. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation with Ruben Tabares!

In this Weekly Q&A, we are joined with Chris Robinson, Danny Edwards, Sean Conlon and Matt Healy to answer your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions, and we look forward to seeing you on Instagram next Sunday.

Welcome to an extraordinary episode featuring a captivating panel discussion with football legends Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redknapp, and Paul Merson. Delve into the world of football, parenting, and the unique dynamics that shape young athletes. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the intricacies of 1-to-1 training and its impact on a budding footballer's development. Can a child be inherently born as a footballer, or is it the result of dedicated training and mentorship? Join us as we unravel the mysteries behind nurturing sporting talent from a young age. The conversation takes an insightful turn as we delve into the realm of parenting styles. Discover the delicate balance between being assertive and fostering a relaxed environment for your child's growth in the world of football. Should parents adopt a more hands-on, pushy approach, or is a laid-back attitude more conducive to success? Our panelists, each with their unique experiences, share their perspectives on what works best in shaping a football prodigy. A highlight of the discussion is the fascinating comparison of parenting styles between the esteemed Harry Redknapp and the insightful Paul Merson. Gain valuable insights into the diverse approaches these football icons have taken in guiding their own children through the challenges of pursuing a career in the beautiful game. Whether you're a football enthusiast, a parent navigating the world of youth sports, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of football development, this episode promises a rich tapestry of experiences and wisdom. Join us as we journey through the minds of these football legends, unlocking the secrets to nurturing the next generation of sporting talent. Don't miss out on this riveting exploration of football, parenting, and the unique stories that shape the beautiful game.

In this Weekly Q&A, we are joined with Chris Robinson, Danny Edwards, Sean Conlon and Matt Healy to answer your questions! Thank you for submitting your questions, and we look forward to seeing you on Instagram next Sunday.

In this episode, we look to discover why only there are only 1% South Asian players in English academies, whilst the UK population currently has 5% South Asian people, and grassroots football sees 6% of players from the same background. What is causing this huge difference in representation in academies? Let us know your thoughts on our discussion in the comments.

Welcome back to Project Footballer, the voice of youth football. If your child is pursuing professional football, you probably understand that statistically most academy kids don't play in the Premier League or even the championship if they do get paid to play football. Statistically, most academy players play in the lower leagues. So as a parent pursuing professional football for your child, you really do need to know what lower league football is like. In. this episode, we speak to three players who play for Scunthorpe United. You learn about their journeys into football. We explain about the lower league structure, the type of football that's played in the National League and that the average wage of a National League player is £36,000 per year. Established in 1899, turning professional in 1912 and being admitted into the league in 1950, Scunthorpe United lost their EFL status after 72 years in 2022. Now on the upward curve under new ownership led by local fans is determined to return the club to its former glory and sustain and stabilise it for generations to come after its very existence was put at risk. For your chance to support Scunthorpe on this exciting new endeavour please visit their website. https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. You can support in many ways whether it's buying a shirt, cup or even a sign up to the clubs lottery draw. In a clubs time of need the footballing community support can be all the difference. Every penny helps. #UTI

In this episode, Darius Charles and Dan Edwards talk to Jess Warner, the blogger known as being “the one with all the boys”—the mum behind The Only Girl in the House, where she shares tales, tips, tricks, family travels and grumbles of having 5 boys. In this Instagram live stream, they discuss how to deal with teammates who are bullies in academy football and much more.

In this episode, we speak with Rob Moore about the importance of managing money in football, whether you make it as a footballer or don't make it. This is a super important topic that needs to be covered, and we hope you can enjoy this episode with an open mind.

In this episode, we have a panel of guests to answer your questions! Ex-footballer and current senior house parent for Manchester City U18s and U21s Darius Charles, top technical coach Dan Edwards who has worked with the likes of Jesse Lingard, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raheem Sterling, Ex-footballer and England Futsal player Rob Ursell and Portia Freno, parent of one of the top U8s in London join us to answer the ultimate question of how to make it as a footballer.

Is your child's speed predetermined by genetics? Jonas Dodoo, one of the world's top speed and directional movement analysts speaks to us about this topic. He's worked with some of the fastest Olympic athletes, as well as with 5 Premier League clubs at both academy and professional level. He provides an incredible insight into how you can make your child faster, and whether there's a formula to creating a child with speed.

David is the former head of research and development at Manchester United, providing intelligence and support to the multi-disciplinary team across coaching, science, data, technology, medicine, operations, media and psychology. He also wrote an in-depth case study on the success of Gary Neville, looking into his structured deliberate practice and decision making. In this episode, we dive deep into football's biggest secrets at the elite level of the game, including how artificial intelligence will impact the future of football. We also look into the success behind Gary Neville in our quest to further explore the question of 'How do you make it as a footballer?'.

Carlton Cole is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a striker. He scored 52 goals in 288 Premier League appearances for four clubs. In this episode, Carlton opens up about how he made it as a footballer, including some incredible stories about how cage football made him the man he is, how his Mother buying him football boots got him a contract at Chelsea, as well as delving into later on in his career, where Carlton experienced bankruptcy and described himself as 'Concentrating on things that give you temporary happiness." Hear Carlton's insightful and motivating story in this episode. Please let us know your feedback on the episode in the comments below!

In this episode of Project Footballer, we speak with professional freestyler and internet personality, Daniel Cutting. He has amassed a huge audience of over 3 million across his socials from showcasing his incredible football technique online. As well as building his son's accounts past 250,000 in a short space of time, setting him up to become either a footballer or content creator.

In this episode, we speak to Chelsea Strength and Conditioning coach Harry Knock about how to develop physicality in young players. He answers some interesting questions and provides us with nuggets of information that we all needed to learn!

In this episode, we speak to Ajax Consultant Stephen Lawrence, who is also the Father of professional footballer, James Lawrence. We take a deep dive into the disadvantages of being born later as a footballer within the UK.

On this episode, we interview the parents of Leicester academy star Nazar Mahina, they tell their story of how they raised Nazar, and how he has gone on to become viral, appearing on multiple HUGE football channels.

In this episode, we speak to English former professional footballer Joleon Lescott, who has previously won 2 Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a League Cup, as well as making over 500 appearances for club and country. We discuss how Joleon made it as footballer, what was his journey like? What was his environment like? Joleon also gives a lot of insightful and interesting information that parents can take on board and utilise in their child's football journey. We hope you enjoy this episode, please let us know your feedback in the comments below!

In this episode, we've brought together a panel including former Arsenal legend Paul Merson, ex-futsal star Rob Ursell, YouTube sensation Tim Grimwade, Chelsea FC scout Sean Conlon and Spurs scout Marcelo Graca. Together, we answer YOUR questions surrounding academy football and football development, in a bid to further explore the question... how do you make a footballer? Is there a formula? Please let us know your thoughts on this episode! Feel free to submit any questions below for future episodes!

Sonny Pike has an amazing story to tell. One that could really help parents avoid some potential mistakes, as they try to aid their child's journey towards becoming a football player. Long before every aspiring young footballer was social media-famous, Sonny was the first, and only, for many many years after, footballing prodigy who was made accessible, known, and even famous, to the general public, as he took his journey towards being a footballer. We hope you enjoy this podcast, let us know your thoughts in the comments!

In this episode, we are joined by Gabriel from Athlete Mentality, an Instagram platform with over 50,000 followers which discusses ways in which athlete mentality can be improved! We discuss how to develop a winning mentality for your child in this episode.

Recently - news broke about the new changes which have been made to academy football, this sent shockwaves across the industry. Therefore, we hopped onto an online call to discuss these changes which have been applied to academy football at all ages and whether they are a positive or negative decision. We hope you find this episode useful and informative, and enjoy our discussion!

James Fahmy spent his whole career in the academy system, playing for Queens Park Rangers FC and captaining the U18 Professional Development Team. However, he is now studying at the renowned Harvard University, where he is also a NCAA Division 1 student-athlete for the college. We take a look at his journey to Harvard, and the reason why he turned down the oppurtunity of a professional football contract, to focus on his education. We hope you enjoy this episode! Let us know in the comments!

Ex-England Futsal player Rob Ursell has had an amazing career in futsal and football. Known in non-league football as "The Wizard", Rob changed his game from being a brilliant 1v1 player to a controlling team player. He has strong views on what's wrong with English academies and why England will never win anything with our current teaching methods. This is a fascinating episode which we found to be extremely thought provoking. How will you think about the development of your child after watching this? Will your thoughts change and will you try to develop your child's football IQ at an earlier age as a result? Let us know in the comments below.

Professional Footballer Fabio Sole and Daniela Osu, a Sports Psychotherapist, discuss coping with mental health & bullying within Academy Football. They also discuss Footballers Minds, a programme, full of activities and techniques targeting the maintenance of wellbeing within football.

In this episode of Project Footballer, we speak to Daniel Geey. He discusses the do's and don'ts of sports law in youth football. Daniel's clients include Premier League clubs, Champions League football clubs and top agencies. He is an author of multiple books on football contracts and sports law and a partner in the sports group Sheridans. In this fantastic episode, Daniel breaks down what is fact and fiction relating to football agents working with academy players.

Social media is prevalent in youth football. Parents are starting accounts for their children at younger and younger ages, but what are the impacts of this? Does it put pressure on the child? Does it make the child focus on the wrong parts of the game? Is there money to be made from your child generating thousands of followers? We speak to Shane O'Brien, a social media expert who has worked with the likes of Ronaldo, Sterling, Ibrahimovic and many more of the top players in the world.

Isa is regarded as one of the best technical coaches in the world. From his demonstrations, to the explanations and his passion for the game, this is a great listen for anyone looking to help their child become the best player they can be.

In this episode, we recap what we have learned from the previous 8 episodes. We push to find the answer to discover 'What is the formula to making a footballer!' The question we spend the most time discussing is, how important is athleticism? We go down a lot of rabbit holes and really try to answer this question. We don't get an answer and we argue a lot, but there it's certainly a thought-provoking conversation. Give us your views in the comments below. How important do you think athleticism is to make it as a footballer?

In this incredible interview Jamie Redknapp gives us the scoop on how his father and uncle developed two of England's best ever midfielders. He also speaks about his own son's journey through academy football at Chelsea and his thoughts on how much of becoming a footballer is down to nature and how much is down to nurture.

Ethan Pinnock is currently playing a signifant role in Brentford's debut season in the Premier League, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing for Ethan. He tells us what it was like to be released from Millwall at the age of 15 and how he had to make his way in football from playing in the Conference League to then climbing the ladder to reach the Premership. Ethan has so many insights to offer to parents of children looking to become footballers.

Jamie Mackie tells us his incredible story of how he went from playing local Sunday league football with his school mates at age 16 to playing in the Premier League and scoring in one of the most famous games in football history against Manchester City. This is a fascinating insight into the positives and negatives of skipping the normal academy football journey which is common for most footballers in the modern game.

Reece James is considered one of the top players in the world in his position. His sister also plays at the highest level of the female game. What did their father Nigel do to help foster such talent? In this incredible interview we find out the key decisions Nigel made to help his children make it.

Ex-England and Arsenal legend Paul Merson has a 6 year old son named Freddy, currently in academy football. Paul talks about his journey making it as a footballer and how Freddy's journey compares.

Danny Edwards is a performance coach to the stars. He has worked with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, David Luiz, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel James, Gary Cahil to name a few. Danny's son, Theo is with QPR's academy. Danny gives us a brilliant insight into what he does with his son to help him achieve football success. Danny also reflects on what he would do differently if he had the chance. He tells us what he has learned from his time in academy football.

Perry Mitchel is the father of Khalil, one of the top U9 players in the UK. This is a fascinating interview in which we learn the sacrifice and dedication it takes to develop a player like Khailil. Press-ups and burpees before bed, non-negotiable bed times, speaking to Khalil like a grown up from a young age, ice baths, hill runs and a ban on fizzy drinks are just some of the methods which have led to Khalil achieving such high levels of ability.

Darius Charles is a footballer currently playing for AFC Wimbledon. He was Wycombe Wanderers club captain during the 19/20 season in which they were promoted to the Championship. Darius's son plays for Fulham Academy in their U12's. Darius gives excellent insight into how he is raising his son Malaki and helping him navigate his journey through academy football.

Welcome to Project Footballer Are footballers made? Is there a secret formula? Is it down to nature vs Nurture?