More than the score – How to develop a football prodigy

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Some of the most exciting footballers in the world right now are still teenagers. Lamin Yamal has previously won the Spanish League twice with Barcelona and the European Championship with Spain. 17-year-old Lennart Karl has scored in the Champions League and Bundesliga for Bayern Munich; Max Doman has already made his Premier League debut for Arsenal, despite being just 15 years old. But how do the top clubs ensure that their young talents fulfill their potential, both on and off the pitch? What are the signs that a teenager is ready to move into first-team football, and how do club staff help players who are still children to meet the challenges of professional life? Hugh Jennings has spent more than 25 years working in youth development, as Director of Southampton’s Academy and now Head of Football Development at Premier League club Fulham. In that period, he worked with the likes of Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana; In his current role, he has also helped oversee the development of one of the Premier League’s most exciting prospects, Josh King. BBC reporters Ed Harry and John Bennett spoke to Hugh about one of the biggest responsibilities in modern football. It explains how clubs develop players from childhood to adulthood, and the personal qualities that major clubs look for when assessing a young player’s potential. He also shares his experiences of what happens when players don’t measure up – how can you support a teenager when things don’t go to plan? It also explains why the term “wonder child” is not one you are keen on using. Over Score is a daily podcast broadcast by the BBC World Service that explores stories from across the world of sport. Every Monday through Friday, we tell stories that go beyond the score, from tennis to soccer, from boxing to bobsleigh, from rugby league to the NFL. We’ve interviewed extraordinary athletes like pole vaulting giant Mondo Duplantis, boxing queen Cecilia Braijhus and tennis legend Boris Becker, as well as the experts who work behind the scenes, from top football scouts to the physical therapists who keep NBA stars in top shape. In addition, we have the experience of the BBC’s senior journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sports at all levels. And if you have your own opinion on the stories we cover, we’d love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0470 032 800 0044. You can find more information, as well as our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

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