Lukaku’s agent

But not ready to actually play matches.

Developing youth with a long term strategy isn’t about throwing them in way too early. That can actually be damaging for them. When he’s ready he’ll play but there’s no way we can go into a season with a second choice striker who’s played a combined 13 mins of first team football under his belt.

Exactly, and given that wasn’t the route Fergie so often took with his introduction of youngsters into the first team it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see Ole take a similar, more gradual, approach. There’s also the pressure from above, I do not for a second think they are going to let us go into a season with a 17 year old and 21 year old as our two main strikers. If Lukaku does go, I’m pretty certain we’ll sign a striker.

Developing youth with a long term strategy isn’t about throwing them in way too early. That can actually be damaging for them. When he’s ready he’ll play

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and that is exactly what good management will determine. Which I believe is why Pogba had to leave under Fergie a s he didnt agree with the great man.

He would have made some more appearances if not for injuries and Ole threw him on against psg. He has also said in the past that Butt would tell him which lads are ready for the step up.

And since we’ve had injured players return, and he’s been fit, he’s no longer making the match day squads. Same as Chong, Gomes and Garner. I was actually hoping to see more of them on the pitch the last few months but sadly that’s not happened. I get the impression that he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on them now that top four is achievable, probably doesn’t feel their ready yet. Which is why I’m not convinced Ole has belief that Greenwood is ready to be backup striker to Lukaku next season. Time will tell, but I’m confident that will be the case and I think it will be the correct decision. Let the kid ease his way in and take his opportunities when he gets them rather than throwing him in at the deep end.

*they’re

comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 10 hours, 15 minutes ago

And since we’ve had injured players return, and he’s been fit, he’s no longer making the match day squads. Same as Chong, Gomes and Garner. I was actually hoping to see more of them on the pitch the last few months but sadly that’s not happened. I get the impression that he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on them now that top four is achievable, probably doesn’t feel their ready yet. Which is why I’m not convinced Ole has belief that Greenwood is ready to be backup striker to Lukaku next season. Time will tell, but I’m confident that will be the case and I think it will be the correct decision. Let the kid ease his way in and take his opportunities when he gets them rather than throwing him in at the deep end.
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Ole is hardly going to drop Lukaku from the bench once everyone is fit is he? But if Lukaku does leave, there is then a decision to be made on whether Greenwood is ready to step up. And I don't think that using him as back up would be chucking him in at the deep end.

Of course it is. The kid hasn’t even played in the top division at under 23 level and you want him to be back up striker.

comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)

posted 38 minutes ago

Of course it is. The kid hasn’t even played in the top division at under 23 level and you want him to be back up striker. 
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Well he does have previous of performing above his age group and he wouldn't be the first player to make that jump.