The case of Dowell, as well as Davies, Kenny, DCL, Lookman, Vlasic, Beni and others makes you wonder, what is the formula for trying to make an 18-21 yo promising player progress? This must be the role of Marcel Brands, and I hope he's looking at it with a clever strategy, more than the usual way young players are treated.
Usually we think they should either be in the first team squad, playing once in a while, or regularly, or going out on loan. But I wonder whether this group and young players in general are promoted too early in some cases. Wouldn't it better if the group were playing together regularly at U23 level, rather than sitting on the bench or in an out of the squad? Isn't it better if they are loaned out to the same team, together? i got the impression from the U20 WC win that Lookman and DCL, Davies and Dowell, Kenny & Davies, Dowell and DCL all seem to have a good connection on the pitch. I know that U23 is not as tough as Championship, but creating an understanding in a group is also important, and I'd love to see a strategy, and I'd also love to hear Brands come out and talk about our top young players. It's bad if the only action about them is on this forum. What is the strategy for Dowell? Can't we know it as well? or in general, can't Silva and Brands talk about them? Here's what I would suggest:
Now, Beni, Kenny should be playing U23 any time they're not in the matchday squad. Lookman and DCL should drop down to U23 any time they don't get on the pitch in the first team. That group I named above should be told that we want them to form the core of the team in the next 5 years and that way they can work towards it, keep in touch with each other and maybe if they're not getting in the first team, they go out on loan together to a place like Celtic or Rangers, or Swansea Middlesborough Norwich Leeds - one of those big Championship clubs. If a mid table Spanish or German team would take them, they'd be good as well
At the moment, I hope that we nurture Davies, Kenny, DCL and Lookman in the first team squad, that we tell Vlasic he has a chance next year, that Beni is the long-term replacement for Gana, and that Dowell is a possible Left CM or something. If we just tell them and let them feel encouraged, it doesnt matter if they make it or not - that's up to them. With Dowell, I feel like it's a choice between him, Siggy and Vlasic, so we have to see what tactics and form say about his participation next year.