Green gets call to step up to U17s

Looking forward to seeing this kid in the future. What a prospect!! Just hope DM guides him through in the right way.

I have heared very little about him since he signed, why is he not involved in the first team? If he really is a great talent then we should try to play him. I would prefer to see him in the Cahill role.

For Gods sake, he's 16 Jimmy!

Jimmy, this is one lad that really does need nurturing, he is very very talented that's for sure, but like Phil has just he's 16, the only time I have really seen him was when he was on the OS signing a comtract, he looked a little slight and in no way would it be beneficial to him to be in the 1st team, the lad needs to bulk up a bit, not all 16 year old are like Rooney.

Jimmy, he is only 16 yrs of age, he aint Rooney. To suggest he should be playing in the Tim cahill role at this age is ridiculous, I would hazard a guess that if...and its a big if.. if he gets through the next 4 or 5 years then he could possibly make the bench with one or two appearances. When I was 16 I still had my paper round.

Andrew #310 whilst I understand the basic thought process, ie, he's only 16 and apparently a bit on the "slight" side, but is EFC the place for young players who require FIVE years from age 16 to show something and play a couple of games or appear on the bench twice in a season? If we identify top talent like this and go for it, surely they have to be capable of showing real ability at around 18?

I 100% get it that it's always a bit of a gamble, well a lot, when you sign up a 15-year-old, but I thought this lad was a bit different? I know we have a great Academy rep and I know kids do get a chance here... But is there a chance that we spend SO long "nurturing" that we miss the moment to launch a career when actually bench time and some playing time could have knocked a couple of years off a youngster's development time?

I'm slightly suspicious this has happened to Ross Barkley but maybe this is his season? Whilst Jack Rodwell feels the opposite, over hyped, prone to injuries and slow to recover and never really showing the signs of his early promise. So I'd love to see Green given a couple of Carling Cup sub chances this season, providing we can stay in it long enough!

Mark, I can just about consider a couple of Carling Cup sub appearances as part of his development but it's only a small part of his development.

The English game is very demanding and very tough; I think lots of us are thinking every youngster is the next Rooney. Last season, I was reading on this very site that if a bid of £25million come in for Ross Barkley we should reject it because he is the future.... well, how do any of us know how he will turn out?

I am hoping that season is a better one for Jack Rodwell because he played when he was 16 and he is more suited in his physical appearance than George Green. Please don't think I don't want the kid to be a success, I just want him to be looked after and my point is that no way on earth can he play in the Tim Cahill role.

George Green is only 16, ffs – it will be another year or more before he gets first team experience but he does look the part. Look at all the hype over Barkley, he as been woeful preseason. I hope he is better than what I have seen. As for Rodwell, if does not do it this season, he will never make it.

It's worth pointing out that Green is seen as a playmaker type, a bit like an Iniesta or Gazza style (hope he can be as good as these types); he's a good dribbler and passer of the ball, he's not a Cahill type of player.

Mike

How old was Zidane when you first heard of him?

Rodwell is 21 and we're already writing him off. Jesus Christ!!! The lad has 12 years of top level football left in him!

Mike Powell (#357):

Rodwell has made it. He is a great midfielder who has just been hampered by injury. The last time he played for England, he was superb. He needs games in our side in the centre of midfield and he needs plenty of games. He needs to play there with Barkley and Osman with Fellaini behind Jelavic... Pienaar left, Naismith right; Hibbert, Hietinga, Distin and Barnes at the back with Howard in goal.