Farndon talks about the seven players offered pro deals and the three who missed out in his exclusive interview here...
Coventry City Under-18s coach Jason Farndon has admitted that he has high hopes for the seven Academy stars who have been offered professional terms with the Sky Blues.
James Maddison, George Thomas, Dion and Devon Kelly-Evans, Cian Harries, Ben Stevenson and Kyle Spence all earned professional contracts after impressive seasons with the Under-18s, Under-21s and first-team.
Farndon wants to see them continue the hard-work and believes the fans will begin to see more from the talented youngsters.
SEE THE SPECIAL EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH FARNDON ON PLAYER HERE!
“The fans are now seeing the types of players we can produce with the likes of James Maddison and we had that in our 18s at the start of the season,” Farndon said.
“I have high hopes for all of the players that have signed.
“Kyle Spence will become a really good player in the future. This season he has come from London and has had dips in and out of form. But he is an exciting player that the fans will really like.
“Dion and Devon are absolute soldiers for you, they will give you absolutely everything. Devon has played in every single position apart from goalkeeper and that sums up their attitude, they accompany their talent with an excellent work-rate.
“Cian is a ball playing centre-back, he is so good on the ball. He has toughened up this year and he’s quite fortunate that he’s had two managers in Steven Pressley and Tony Mowbray who were both centre-backs. They’ve both seen what he’s capable of and have pushed him on to become really aggressive.
“George Thomas as you’ve seen can play in many positions. In the first-team against MK Dons he was almost a left-back and left-midfielder as they were pegged back. He works so hard but I see him as an exciting number ten player.
“Everywhere I go people ask me about Ben Stevenson. He’s a Carrick-esque midfielder, good off both feet. He’s slight at the moment but in my opinion I have not seen a better midfielder out there this season bar the Manchester City game, he’s a top footballer at the right club who will allow him time to grow.
“Every young player works incredibly hard at this football and I really have high hopes for them all.”
Within the excitement of offering the young talents deals, there was a vast array of emotions from the Academy prospects who weren’t offered deals.
Jake Richards, Kyle Barnett and Luke Bromley were not offered contracts and Farndon admitted that it was an incredibly difficult situation but praised their attitudes, saying that they will achieve things no matter what they do because of their personalities.
He continued: “It was the most difficult thing to do. The lads have been brilliant, turned up every day to training and I’ve spoken to them quite a lot, I’m conscious to make them feel welcome every day.
“All three have absolutely outstanding attitudes and when I told them you will succeed whatever you do, I really meant it. They have the attitudes and work ethic to succeed.
“Luke has been offered a scholarship in Florida and he showed me some pictures, it’s safe to say it looks better than here! He’s going to go for that, while Jake and Kyle have been out on trial. Fingers crossed they can find another club, football is all about opportunities and opinions and just because it’s a no here, doesn’t mean it won’t be a yes somewhere else.”