Manchester Metropolis’s Prodigy On Dortmund’s Radar

Manchester Metropolis’s crew post-takeover has turn into unrecognisable. Superstars from world wide have graced Etihad Stadium. In such a situation, it turns into troublesome for academy merchandise to make a reputation for themselves within the first crew. Solely prodigiously proficient children get a sniff of the primary crew, and solely world-class ones go on to determine themselves there. Phil Foden has been adopted by Rico Lewis, who appears to be like set to be adopted by Shea Charles.

Who’s Shea Charles?

A tough-tackling defensive midfielder, Shea Charles has made waves in Manchester Metropolis’s youth squads ever since he joined the membership as an Underneath-9 participant.

He has jumped by way of the age teams with startling effectivity, with the Metropolis coaches all the time pushing him to the subsequent stage. He signed his first skilled contract with the membership in July 2021. Thereafter, he moved to Metropolis’s EDS (Elite Growth Squad). The EDS has been the breeding floor for a lot of proficient Metropolis children prior to now. The likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, and plenty of extra have tread this path earlier than Charles.

Manchester Metropolis have actually amped up their youth teaching and recruitment because the takeover and the outcomes are actually arriving. Charles is the most recent breakthrough prospect.

Shea Charles potential

Pep Guardiola has modified the playbook on the membership. His type of positional soccer is now taught throughout all age teams in Manchester Metropolis. This was notably clear when Rico Lewis made his first-team debut and performed as an inverted wing-back (full-back who comes into the midfield) like he had been doing that for years.

Shea Charles comes from the identical faculty. In a position to play as a defensive midfielder, a centre-back, and even as a right-back, Charles is a jack of all trades in defence. With common recreation time within the coming years, he has the potential to turn into a grasp of them too. Nonetheless, he has made essentially the most influence as a defensive midfielder. If he can enhance his passing additional, that will be his preferrred function sooner or later.

With Manchester Metropolis not having many in a position backups to Rodri in that place, there’s a gap available if Shea Charles continues his ascent. He not too long ago made the bench for the primary leg of Manchester Metropolis’s UCL fixture in opposition to RB Leipzig on February 22, 2023.

How good was Shea Charles final evening!? 👏🏻 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/EvRJyWuamL

— Northern Eire (@NorthernIreland) March 24, 2023

The image is even rosier on the worldwide stage. Shea Charles has already made his senior debut for Northern Eire. Having performed for all age teams for his nation, he made his senior worldwide debut in opposition to Greece on June 2, 2022, then made his first senior begin on June 5 in opposition to Cyprus.

Stats

For a defensive midfielder, who additionally performs as a CB typically, objectives and assists can by no means present the total image. Nonetheless, Charles’ significance to an excellent Metropolis EDS could be seen from one stat.

Within the 2022-23 PL2 season (U23s), Charles has made 20 appearances, being within the beginning eleven 100% of the time, enjoying 99% of all obtainable minutes. Shea Charles is the primary identify on the teamsheet in a squad filled with elite prospects. He has performed a complete of two,694 minutes in 30 appearances throughout all competitions (together with EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League).

That is fairly the photograph from #mcfc yesterday, L to R

Nico O’Reilly with the U17 PL Cup
Rico Lewis with the U18 PL Trophy
Fernandinho with the PL Trophy
Shea Charles with the PL2 Trophy
Lakyle Samuel with the U16 PL Cup pic.twitter.com/Mrs2hLVklg

— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) May 23, 2022

He has a single help to his identify and is but to attain. Nonetheless, he has been an important member of the Metropolis EDS which has retained the PL2 title and is at present main the pack once more.

Shea Charles’ enjoying type. 

A combative defensive midfielder who likes to place in a sort out, Shea Charles is a little bit of a throwback when it comes to enjoying type. Nonetheless, he has proven glowing enchancment in his vary of passing and imaginative and prescient this season. He’s able to enjoying progressive passes from the deep when the scenario calls for however he’s in his factor whereas breaking apart opposition strikes, both with fast tackles, or good interceptions.

A superb senior comparability, purely when it comes to enjoying type and never potential/means, can be to the defensive midfielder within the ranks of their metropolis rivals- Casemiro.

Moreover, Charles’ versatility has allowed his managers to make use of him in a wide range of roles. Stints at CB and RB have given him a extra rounded skillset.

Charles has an inherent management ability that helps him rally the crew. Mixed together with his means and character, Manchester Metropolis have a possible captain on their palms if every part breaks proper for him in his profession. Earlier than that, nonetheless, there’s a query of holding on to him.

Future at Manchester Metropolis

A proficient younger participant breaks by way of, the elite senior squad don’t have any place for him, he seeks new pastures, and prospers elsewhere. Manchester Metropolis have seen this story earlier than. It occurred with Jadon Sancho, and a repeat may occur with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.

There’s a feeling of deja vu in terms of Shea Charles as nicely. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Borussia Dortmund is monitoring Charles’ scenario at The Cityzens. His skilled deal expires in 2027 so there’s no must panic there. Nonetheless, a scarcity of senior alternatives may tempt Charles to look elsewhere.

Curiosity is rising round Shea Charles, Man Metropolis proficient midfielder born in 2003 — already enjoying for Northern Eire 🔵 #MCFC

Perceive Borussia Dortmund are maintaining a tally of him 🟡⚫️ #BVB

Charles, one other instance of Man Metropolis academy producing homegrown expertise. pic.twitter.com/k2d1jPkWqb

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2023

German Bundesliga has turn into a flourishing house for a lot of English children. If Man Metropolis aren’t capable of present him with the required recreation time, they could lose him to Dortmund.

Jadon Sancho got here again to their metropolis rivals as a substitute in a extremely celebrated deal on the time, Metropolis would wish to keep away from a repeat of that this time.