Scouted Says

Academy football is notoriously ruthless and cut-throat. A minuscule proportion of young footballers make it into the professional game. For every Phil Foden, Mason Mount or Marcus Rashford, there is a trail of disappointment and heartache felt by hundreds of budding, hopeful youngsters. Joe speaks to author of 'The Dream Factory - Inside the Make-or-Break World of Football’s Academies’ Ryan Baldi about success stories, academy pitfalls, pros, cons and the growing debate around aftercare following the dreaded release conversation. 11:34: Academy football finances 17:21: What is a 'Category One' academy? 22:36: Aftercare and the releasing of young footballers 32:35: Elite academies vs Lower league academies - Dele Alli's vs Phil Foden's 39:47: The Making of Marcus Rashford 45:30: Is Chelsea the 'ideal scenario' in academy football? 50:18: How Chelsea scouted and signed Mason Mount