Great Preston Youth Chat
Anthony H
Great Preston AFC’s youth system continues to reflect the club’s high standards, with this latest intake offering a blend of technical quality and developing skills.
The benchmark remains clear. To seriously challenge for first team selection, a player typically needs to reach 25 or higher in their main attribute such as stopping, tackling, passing, or shooting. At present, none of these players have reached that level, but several are moving into range and beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
The closest to first team squad readiness is Y_Costa, the 21 year old Hungarian goalkeeper. With a stopping rating of 22, Costa sits nearer than anyone else to the club’s threshold. Across 927 minutes, he has recorded 18 saves and conceded 7 goals, which suggests a reasonably solid presence between the posts in what is often an inconsistent youth defensive unit. His experience relative to the rest of the group also works in his favour. At 21, this is a pivotal period in his development, and while he has not yet hit the required level, he is clearly on the fringe of senior consideration. If he can raise his stopping just a few points and maintain consistency, a role as a backup goalkeeper in the first team setup is a realistic short term outcome.
At the opposite end of the pathway is M_Segovia, just 16 and still in the earliest phase of his progression. With minimal minutes played, he remains largely an unknown quantity at this level. His current ratings suggest a player still building his technical base, and there is no immediate pressure on him to push toward the senior side. His development will be measured over the next few seasons rather than in the present moment.
In defencee, F_Sasnas stands out as one of the more influential performers. With tackling at 19 and passing at 16, he has contributed across multiple phases of play, recording 8 key passes and 4 tackles in under 800 minutes. His ability to impact both defensively and in transition is encouraging, though his disciplinary record, including 20 points and a suspension, raises concerns about control and decision making. He remains short of the required benchmark, but his profile suggests he could develop into a strongdefender or defensive midfielder if he refines his approach. He must go on foreign loan and perhaps have some abs added if he were to get where we want him. He narrowly missed out on foreign loan this season.
H_Campen offers a similarly balanced skill set, with passing at 19 and tackling at 16. Over nearly 1000 minutes, he has produced 16 key passes, highlighting his creative influence from deeper positions. However, like Sasnas, he lacks a single standout attribute that pushes him into immediate first team contention. At 20, he is approaching an important stage where progression is essential if he is to remain in the club’s long term plans.
Q_Lutrick has been one of the more productive players in advanced areas, registering 4 assists and contributing 7 shots. His passing rating of 19 underpins his creative output, and he appears comfortable operating in forward areas. While his defensive numbers are modest, his attacking contributions give him a different kind of value. If the first team requires a more specialised creative option, Lutrick could emerge as a candidate, provided his passing continues to improve.
C_Najarian represents consistency rather than standout quality. With passing at 18 and steady defensive contributions, he provides balance, but without a defining elite attribute, his pathway to the first team looks more challenging compared to others in the same unit.
In attacking roles, W_Canode and V_Ladue are the most eye catching prospects. Canode has a shooting rating of 19 and has taken 22 shots, converting 3 into goals. His willingness to take responsibility in front of goal is a positive sign, though he will need to improve efficiency and push his shooting higher to meet the club’s expectations. Ladue, at just 16, has already scored twice and holds a shooting rating of 18. His early output suggests natural attacking instincts, and given his age, he may have the highest long term ceiling among the forwards.
Q_Guido remains a developmental player at this stage. At 17, with limited minutes and a shooting rating of 16, he has shown glimpses of potential but is not yet close to first team consideration.
Overall, this is a group defined by potential rather than readiness. Costa is the nearest to breaking through, while Sasnas, Lutrick, and Canode appear the most likely to challenge over the next few seasons. Ladue stands out as a long term project with significant upside. For now, however, the gap to the first team remains, and only those who can elevate a key attribute into the elite range will take the final step into Great Preston AFC’s senior squad!!