I'm pretty sure that's Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. I went to the FA Youth Cup game 3 or 4 weeks ago and he played 'in the hole' behind the forwards. He was elusive, can pick a pass & scored a belter of a free-kick. He also got stuck right in. I think he's still 16 and had had exams that day (I found that out after finding myself stood next to his mum!) At times he just exuded class in the same way Dimitar Berbatov did, the game went at his pace, be it quick or slow, when he received the ball. At other times the game passed him by. Definitely a talent and next year, hopefully, will see him baulk up a little so he can play more regularly for the U23s. As for Folivi; personally I think he needs time out on loan, League 2 probably or League 1 at a lower half side (to get games). I saw him a couple of times for B.Wood last season and he looked like a fish out of water to be honest. Willing but lacking awareness as much as anything. This season for the U23s he's shown he can finish but is weak with one on ones. Darren Sarll, Head of Academy & seemingly head coach on match days, continually barks instructions at him throughout a game, mostly about positioning. He has a tendency to switch off but has improved as the season has gone. He looks a lot more confident this season but maybe that's in the comfort of 'home' - again, a loan away will show if he's growing as a person as well as a player. I think the club must rate Folivi as he's now 20 and despite only having 18 months left on his contract, plays nigh on every minute for the U23s.
They must think a player is in there. If they can get that part of his game to click and to become more natural & regular then who knows, maybe he could start to really challenge for a place in the first team squad. When he gets his movement right he finds a lot of space and manages to isolate defenders. I like that he doesn't always need to beat his man to get a shot away too, he manages to create space between himself & his marker when on the ball. He could be better at releasing other players but if all these things were in place he would be in the 1st team squad. And 20 may seem old in the modern game for players to break into the 1st team but it's no age at all really. Maybe a little patience and nurturing will unearth a 22 year old worth his place at the club? As a homegrown player it may be worth polishing his game up to also increase any future transfer/loan fees. Between the two I think Folivi looks a more natural goal-scorer than Cassidy at the moment, though the latter is better at holding the ball up and including others by laying the ball off well. For Folivi's 2nd in the QPR game it looks like Cassidy laying it back to him. My only real worries for him (Cassidy) is he doesn't seem to strike the ball cleanly often enough when shooting. I don't know if he's trying to be too technical but quite often his shots off the floor aren't timed very well. Cassidy also only has 18 months left on his contract and at 17 still has plenty of time on his side. I've spoken to Folivi's family briefly this season and they came across as very down to earth people while the little contact I've managed to have with the Cassidy's showed them to be very similar. Neither families came across as fame or money hungry and they also both seem to like what Watford are doing for their boys.
Ox, fascinating to hear your well informed analysis, as always. Spacial awareness & movement are so central to how Prem teams play these days that I wonder how easy it will be for a young ‘un who doesn’t have these instincts. Hope these lads make a go of things.
Wimbledon looking to take Folivi back on loan again after raising funds through the sale of Sibbick to Barnsley. https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/...ker-and-birmingham-defender-set-to-join-dons/
Official. Folivi back to Wimbledon on a season long loan. https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/under-23s/official-folivi-returns-dons
Returning from Wimbledon. Surest sign that Deeney's off. https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2020/january/michael-returns-to-watford/
