Elye Wahi

Strange one

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-involved-really-strange-transfer-mess-15-year-old-prodigy-decision-expected-soon/

Strange one

 

http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampton-involved-really-strange-transfer-mess-15-year-old-prodigy-decision-expected-soon/

Since then, a lot has happened, including the youngster getting kicked off the French team for ‘disciplinary reasons’.

 

Could he be the French Nile Ranger ?

Disciplinary Reasons could mean "decided he wanted to join another club"...

Sounds like more cock ups to be honest.

Yeah, sounds like he didn't sign any contract with us or with Montfermeil.

Key phrase is "were expecting to sign him when he turned 16". But we never had a signature, and yet paid to have him looked after. We don't really have a case.

First rule of business : get it in writing.

I imagine this is pretty common. Clubs aren't allowed to give contracts to under 16s, so try to exercise as much soft power as possible, giving financial perks, helping out with training options etc etc, in the hope that the player will be grateful and agree to a longer relationship. But ultimately if the player decides to sign a contract elsewhere, then that's entirely up to them

Don't see how we have a "case" here at all. Another Les Reed Mess.

We're not saying we have a case. The small French team is. Presumably they are miffed at getting no compensation from Montpelier or something. I'm guessing we had agreed to pay them a bit more once we signed the lad.

At the end of the day, we weren't allowed to sign him professionally so it's hardly a balls-up, unless people think we should be throwing huge riches at the parents of 14 year olds.

Given how many "prodigies" never make it, I say let's leave that to City and Chelsea.

 

Given how many "prodigies" never make it, I say let's leave that to City and Chelsea.

Our academy will continue to be weak if we rely only on our local catchment area.

We only need one prodigy to make us a big transfer fee and the investment in 30+ others is worth it

The original article referenced by Sport Witness..

http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/ile-de-france/15-ans-et-deja-au-coeur-d-un-imbroglio-melant-montpellier-montfermeil-et-southampton-24-09-2018-7901244.php

Our academy will continue to be weak if we rely only on our local catchment area.

 

We only need one prodigy to make us a big transfer fee and the investment in 30+ others is worth it

I'm not saying we shouldn't look outside our catchment area. I am saying we should be measured in the amount of money we throw after individuals.

What are the rules on pre-contract agreements? OK, he can't sign an official contract until 16, but could we have done any more than smile at him and offer him Quality Street?