Can Small Players Make It In English Football?


Yes, the English football system prefers athletes and it all comes down to speed. Normally, a taller player is faster, is perceived to “move better” and looks better all round. Also, long term - the idea is that an athlete is able to play in any position on the pitch as they grow up so the risk is a lot lower than getting the little guy who can only do 1 or 2 jobs.

Most cat 1 academies will have 15-20% of small players in the squad, whilst the rest are normally on the athlete.
Also, another thing to consider of small players that make it is that 1- they are either rapid or 2- they weren’t small as kids. (Max Downman) so early development does play a part in recruitment  and opportunities, therefore it helps to make it all the way.
Most “underdogs” that comes back later in life are physically advantaged either with size, speed or power. (Eze, Declan Rice, Richarlison, Gabriel, Max Kilman) Players that either were recruited late into the academies, or made a come back after being released (and developing physically).

The coaching system doesn’t suit the players very much, as it’s heavily individual based in the younger age groups, and about 1v1 duels. The little guy will probably not win the individual battles as much as other kids as they will lose the race, and eventually lose confidence.

I do get it though, some smaller players look really good at young ages in the way they move, but can’t cope or cover ground effectively as the pitch gets bigger…
But are we ever going to develop players like Vitinha, Pedri, Gavi… and why is it that those players normally comes from Spain or Portugal?

Culture plays a big part, in Portugal or Spain with the emphasis being on IQ, Decision making , starting at the recruitment phase…
Playing as a team from a young age those players tend to thrive more… 

I have always liked cleaver players and the ones I have enjoyed watching the most were coincidentally or not ,were SMALL… I remember I had this particular age group that we were ALWAYS smaller than any opposition we played, actually most of the futsal teams I built over the years ended up being smaller than others… sometimes I would pick grassroots div2 players ahead of academy kids, as they were smooth, without bad habits & good decision making… 

Ok, so what do we do with all that information … can a smaller player actually make it in English
football? The answer is yes, they can but the ones that went further all had something in common… Their Mindset… and


If you are a smaller player in this country here are a few very important tips:

Don’t be a liability…
 
“He can’t move” , “He doesn’t compete” , “We lost midfield” …

The argument against small players is that sometimes they can be a liability. Either, they don’t compete… are scared of bigger players, or challenges… back away from tackles or the biggest one can’t cover ground effectively.

Some old school coaches are desperate to prove their biases of why a small player shouldn’t be in midfield so they don’t “lose midfield”… or say that they can’’t move…or don’t compete.

The mindset & work rate HAS to be there if you are a smaller player… You need to be someone reliable, that makes up for the smaller stature in your energy, bravery, aggression…

If the coaches don’t see you as a liability to the team, you are already half way there.

Be Physical…

“if you are not faster in 20m, you need to be faster in 5m…”
 

Yes, there is a massive physical component here (that you can work on) , its harder for a smaller player that is not naturally the fastest to cover ground, compete, tackle bigger players …. But you CAN work on that… a phrase I like : “if you are not faster in 20m, you need to be faster in 5m…”
If you are small, you likely have a low centre of gravity with allows you to stop and start quicker, accelerate, change direction. You need to TRAIN and USE that! Work on your acceleration, deceleration, plyometrics, jumps, sprints… make sure that in those first 5min you are competing with anyone. The mindset of “getting there first” has to be sharp too…

Find your role & be smart

“He doesn’t impact games enough…” 

If we judge a fish on its abilities to climb a tree, we will say that the fish is not good…
If you are a smaller player, and you are trying to compete with bigger players by being the same type of player they are, you are not fighting a fair battle.

What is it that you are good at ? What is your main role in a team? Do you help build up… break line with passes, control the game… or are you actually a small fast player that beat players 1v1… whatever it is, double down on that… become indispensable , instead of trying to be a all round player or becoming something you are not. 

Most smaller players will be creators, but the system can sometimes make you play safe a lot…

so its important that you don’t let the system turn you into a 2 touch sideways only player… keep doing what you are doing.  Keep trying to  be BRAVE to play forward and have the MENTALITY to impact games, its important that you become the BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF.

Conclusion 

Yes, the system prioritise athletes… at the end of the day ,at least in theory there are more roles they can do so the risk is lower…
The key is , what you are going to do with that information. You can cry about it, or you can prepare… adapt and be Unbeatable.