Ronald Koeman says English bosses scared to use young players
Saturday 22 April 2017 13:38, UK
Ronald Koeman says English managers are afraid to give young players regular football.
Koeman has started 18-year-old Tom Davies in 13 of Everton's past 14 Premier League games, while teenager Ademola Lookman and 20-year-olds Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also featured regularly.
And Koeman's boldness has been rewarded as Everton go into their final five games in a scrap for European places with Manchester United and Arsenal.
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"I see differences in how I like to give young players a chance maybe more than the English managers," said the Dutchman, who made his own professional debut at 17.
"They are afraid. I am not afraid to put young players in. I know in English football people say you have to look out for young players, that maybe they say they can play 15 or 20 games, not more. But I am not afraid - maybe they are.
"It is all about the talents of the young players. If they have the talent you have to give an opportunity. If they don't have the talent then you have to look elsewhere.
"If I have a second centre-back and he is 20 and I think he can do the job, then I don't sign a centre-back as a third option. My young boy is my second option. It's the way I like to work.
"I am a manager who is giving young players a chance when they deserve it. I am not doubting whether to give a young player a chance instead of an older player. But that was in Holland, Spain and Southampton and also in Everton."
