We often use the excuse that player X, Y or Z "is still young" or "just a kid", particularly last year but also sometimes this year with Coops and Jephcott.
However, when there are players on the global stage either similar ages or younger, such as Mbappe, Haaland, Foden, Vinicius and Pedri (the list goes on), is it just an easy excuse to use age because of the level we are at?
I know that clearly the mentioned names have had better coaching from a young age and are who they are for a reason, but you never hear people say Foden et Al had a bad game because they are young.
Only asking because I work with an arsenal fan (sadly) who was trying to use this argument for some of their failings over the years
However, when there are players on the global stage either similar ages or younger, such as Mbappe, Haaland, Foden, Vinicius and Pedri (the list goes on), is it just an easy excuse to use age because of the level we are at?
I know that clearly the mentioned names have had better coaching from a young age and are who they are for a reason, but you never hear people say Foden et Al had a bad game because they are young.
Only asking because I work with an arsenal fan (sadly) who was trying to use this argument for some of their failings over the years