""Young players need to have an identity aside from being a footballer," Sallis, who also works as a PE teacher, tells BBC Sport. "It is about trying to make them succeed in both education and sport but remembering they are still a child. "Young people don't see pressure, I have never met one who has. The less they think about it at that age, the better. The key is making sure safeguarding and welfare is in place."
"Two teenagers have made headlines during the Premier League season's early weeks. Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha became just the second 16-year-old after Wayne Rooney to score the winning goal in a Premier League match - scoring at Newcastle on 25 August. That was two days after Arsenal's Max Dowman became the second-youngest player to feature in the Premier League, at just 15, as he made his debut in a win over Leeds."
Two teenage players produced notable early Premier League milestones: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha scored a winning goal at 16, and Arsenal's Max Dowman made his debut at 15. Early breakthroughs do not always translate into sustained top-level careers. Steve Sallis is a mentor and qualified coach who has worked with players such as Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Joe Gomez. Young players need an identity beyond being footballers, support to succeed in education and sport, and protection as children. Minimising pressure and ensuring safeguarding and welfare are essential. Reasons for unrealised potential include too much too soon, money and the grind of professional football.
Read at www.bbc.com
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