Project Footballer

Manchester United’s 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel has asked for his academy registration to be cancelled, and we’re reacting to what it means for the player, his family and the club. Gabriel has been one of the most talked-about names to come out of the Carrington academy in years. He’s won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Youth League last week and...

Former Premier League and England Footballer Joleon Lescott and Futsal and Football Veteran and Coach Rob Ursell sat down with Sean Conlon, CEO of We Make Footballers, to settle a heated Instagram debate that started after a clip of Rob's comments on futsal and player development went viral. What follows is a deep, no-holds-barred conversation about why Spain keeps winning — and why England mi...

Misha Sher spent years managing some football legends including Pelé, Mesut Özil, Vinícius Júnior and Alessia Russo - but in this episode, he's talking about a different kind of talent: his own daughter, Maia, a rising star in Arsenal's academy. We dig into:⚽ What it's really like managing Pelé — his discipline, his love of the game, and why he thought modern football had become &quot...

Could AI change the way young footballers are scouted? Footballers are getting taller, and physical development is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around youth football. But when two players of the same age can be at completely different stages of growth and maturation, are we judging young talent fairly? In this episode of Project Footballer, Sean sits down with Haniff...

England has world-class facilities, world-class clubs and the richest football league in the world. So why are England not winning more trophies as a nation? In this episode of Project Footballer, Sean sits down with former professional footballer, England Futsal international and coach Robert Ursell to discuss why England continues to fall short—and what needs to change. Together, they explore:⚽...

Are pre-academy players focusing on the wrong goals? In this episode of Project Footballer, we explore one of the biggest debates in youth football: whether too many young players are building their identity around academy status instead of long-term development. Many talented players tie their self-worth to pre-academy programmes that may never lead to professional football. We discuss the risks...

Aaron Burns spent over a decade inside Manchester United's academy, training alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Sir Alex Ferguson era. In this episode, he talks through his experience at Man Utd, what "purposeful practice" really looked like, and the culture shock of dropping down through Cardiff City, Iceland and non-league football once his time at United ended...

🎙️ Project Footballer: I Made It Pro at QPR Without Loving Football What happens when a player has the talent to make it in professional football - but not the passion? In this episode of Project Footballer, former Chelsea Academy player and QPR scholar Jordan Buck shares the untold reality of his journey through elite football. From signing for Chelsea at 13 to earning a full-time scholarship at...

🎙️ Project Footballer: The King Of Street Football - What Street Football Teaches UsWhat does street football really teach young players — and why are so many academy coaches now looking back to the cage? In this episode, Streetz Football founder Malachi Simpson joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boateng to break down the real value of street football and why unstructured play might be the missing piec...

🎙️ Project Footballer – Topsy Ojo: How My Son Went From QPR to ArsenalWhat really shapes a young footballer’s journey — natural athleticism or the knowledge gained along the way? In this episode, former professional rugby player Topsy Ojo joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boetang to share powerful insights from both sides of elite sport. Drawing on his experience as a top-level athlete, Topsy opens up...

🎄 Project Footballer: Christmas Special — Your Questions, Our Answers 🎙️⚽In this festive Christmas Special of Project Footballer, Sean, Matt, and Jenny sit down to reflect on the year and dive into the comments and private messages you’ve been sending in. From honest questions to spicy takes, we unpack the hot topics shaping youth football right now — sharing practical advice, real experiences,...

🎥 Project Footballer: The Making of Fulham’s Josh King (England U21)In this new format of Project Footballer, we sit down with the parents behind some of the most exciting young talents in the game — starting with Fulham and England U21 star Josh King. At just 19, Josh has already made 13 senior appearances for Fulham, including 10 Premier League games this season, marking him as one of the brigh...

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our community dedicated to youth football development!🎙️ Project Footballer – Tom Farrow: The Science of Speed, Strength & Youth DevelopmentWhat separates the next-generation footballers from the rest? In this episode, elite strength and conditioning coach Tom Farrow (formerly Wolves, Brentford) joins Matthew Healy an...

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our growing community dedicated to youth football development! This episode features Godfrey Torto — a football agent, academy coach, and owner of both a football academy and player agency. A former academy player at Chelsea, Godfrey has spent years helping grassroots and released footballers find their way back into the...

🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our growing community dedicated to youth football development! In this episode, we sit down with Neil Harris, a highly experienced academy coach with over 20 years at Manchester United. Neil has been instrumental in shaping the journeys of countless young players (such as Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, A...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Platts , a career coach and leading researcher in football career trajectories. Chris holds a PhD focused on the lives of over 300 young footballers and has led one of the largest independent studies into player career pathways. We dive deep into the real data behind football development , uncovering what it truly takes to “make it” in the game—and how paren...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny and Jeriah Boateng, a mother-son duo with an incredible story. Jeriah is an academy footballer, paving the way for his younger brother Zachary, and their journey is nothing short of inspiring. Jeriah, at just 11 years old, has already made waves both on and off the pitch. After experiencing racism at school, he channeled his emotions into writing a book, Back...

In this episode, we sit down with one of our biggest guests to date! Troy Deeney is known to many as a Watford legend, and most certainly a player who enjoyed ruffling the feathers of defenders and fans all around the country.  Since his retirement, Troy had a management spell at Forest Green Rovers, however now spends the majority of his time raising his son and daughter. We discuss with Troy the...

In this episode I sit down with two of the leaders in Wycombe's bold academy vision! Academy Director Jeremy Sauer and Chairman & Chief Football Office Dan Rice offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wycombe's ambitious plans to build one of the leading academies in the UK. In May 2024 Wycombe Wanders was purchased by the billionaire owner Mikheil Lomtadze through his company Blue Ocean Partners. M...

In this episode, Marcelo and I have the pleasure of speaking with Peter Sturgess, the Ex-Head of Futsal for the FA. Peter is thought of by many as one of the best youth coaches in England, and is responsible for so much of the great work done by the FA in recent years which led to vast improvements in our national team. Join us as we dive deep into the help Peter had in creating much of the founda...

In this episode, we chat about the big issues in youth soccer in the USA. Did you know that 75% of kids quit playing by age 14? We explore why that’s happening and how the focus on winning is making the game less fun and stifling creativity. We compare the American approach to soccer with what’s working in countries like Brazil and the UK, where kids have more freedom to play and grow their skills...

In this episode, Darius and I have the pleasure of speaking with John Allpress, the original creator of the FA Coaching Awards. These awards have evolved into the Youth Module courses currently used across England, shaping our football coaching culture and contributing to the development of the talented players we see in our national senior team today. Join us as we dive deep into what the FA task...

In this episode, Marcelo and I speak to Richard Allen. Richard Allen is the former Head of Talent ID for the FA as well as Head of Recruitment for Tottenham and Academy Director for QPR. He was responsible for creating the original Talent ID courses that govern how we scout in England today. These courses range from teaching scouts at the grassroots level what they should look for and how academy...

Join us for an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the journey of our special guest, Matt Jarvis, as he shares his incredible story of determination, resilience, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. From his early days of being sport-crazy, juggling football, swimming, and athletics, to the heart-wrenching moment of being released at 16, and finally, to his triumphant return to footb...

Join us as we discuss the world of academy signings and uncover the truth behind some horror stories involving player recruitment. Learn why it's crucial for parents to be informed about the process and how to navigate the tricky landscape of youth football. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just love inspiring stories of determination and success, this episode offers valuable less...