So Liam Rose and Anthony Kalik, from the squad yesterday, would go to the UK "for experience and game time"? Together with Tom Slater and Dejan Pandurevic? The last two admittedly haven't had any 1st. team game time yet. I dunno, quid pro quo won't seem to work for us in sending away much of our good youth players. That's why they get a run in the senior team occasionally, to gain experience as they grow up. Why would another club from a (ahem) better and more competitive league use our youngsters just to give them experience and game time against senior players? Doesn't make sense to me.
EDIT: Oh yes, and Josh Bingham too?
I think the perceived value is different for the clubs... Which doesn't make it any less valuable though, obviously.
Some of their youth players get first team action in a lesser league but in a setting where there's some perceived value in winning the game, rather than a sense of more-than-practice-less-than-top-flight if you get my drift... So they'll be playing against teams who are fighting for a trophy and they get the experience of playing in a relatively competitive league, which in turn gives Everton an opportunity to see how they respond 'under fire' so-to-speak.
For us, it gives us access to a group of youth players, some of which could potentially be hanging for a first-team experience and are better than some of our first team players.
For both teams, it provides a potential pathway for both sets of youth players. For Everton, they get first bite at our young 'uns, so when the next Amini or Sainsbury comes through, they get to have a look before any of the other clubs come racing in .
The next Amini or Sainsbury is more likely perhaps, to go our way when offered a youth contract, because they know that Everton is actively looking at our boys and, presumably, someone like Walmsley would send through updates and recommendations as well.
It will likely also give us first bite on any players that Everton decide doesn't suit their needs etc... Not saying that they'll necessarily come this way, but imagine a player of a Broich-type history. A youth player that people expected much of, but who never really quite cut it in the English system... He might come and play here as a development player, for Everton to have a look at how he develops. They might then decide that he was not relevant for their first team and we might want to keep him on - gives an opportunity for a good deal there...
Etc. etc. etc... The opportunities are definitely there, at the end of the day yes, it's all paper deals really... But that's what makes the world go around.
Moreso, it might give opportunity for cooperation behind the scenes, as Dibo pointed out... Hiring excess staff, strategy discussions etc. etc....
