Former Premier League and England Footballer Joleon Lescott and Futsal and Football Veteran and Coach Rob Ursell sat down with Sean Conlon, CEO of We Make Footballers, to settle a heated Instagram debate that started after a clip of Rob's comments on futsal and player development went viral. What follows is a deep, no-holds-barred conversation about why Spain keeps winning — and why England might not, no matter how much money it spends.⚽ The Bukayo Saka vs Nani debate — Jolean challenges Rob's original comparison whether receiving the ball well is really about individual skill - or the players and instructions around you.⚽ Futsal's real role in Spanish development — does futsal genuinely develop greater game intelligence, or is Spain's success more about specialised positional training from a young age?⚽ Athleticism vs game intelligence in academies — why English recruitment prioritizes physically dominant kids at young ages, and what that costs England in the long run⚽ England's World Cup heartbreak — an honest look at the semi-final loss to Argentina, Spain's dominance, and whether England's population and investment should guarantee more success⚽ Fixing the system — Lescott's blueprint for individualized "development sessions" over generic team coaching, plus a candid discussion on why Ashley Cole hasn't been given a head coaching role despite his pedigreeDoes futsal really make Spanish players smarter — or is it something else entirely? And are we identifying the right young players in England in the first place?Project Footballer is the voice of youth football, bringing together experts, coaches and industry leaders to explore the biggest issues shaping player development.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!🎧 Listen to the full podcast on:https://open.spotify.com/show/2hHiSvpzpc6S50Jn6Hu69eFollow us on social platforms for more exclusive content and updates! 🌟https://www.instagram.com/projectfootballer/https://www.tiktok.com/@project_footballer#FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers

Misha Sher spent years managing some football legends including Pelé, Mesut Özil, Vinícius Júnior and Alessia Russo - but in this episode, he's talking about a different kind of talent: his own daughter, Maia, a rising star in Arsenal's academy.We dig into:⚽ What it's really like managing Pelé — his discipline, his love of the game, and why he thought modern football had become "too tactical".⚽ The economics of women's football — why WSL wages have doubled in two years, and where salaries could be in 5-10 years.⚽ Maia's journey from age 5 to Arsenal's academy, training alongside boys at Hale End.⚽ Why "just let her have fun" might be the wrong approach for young girls in football, and how to build genuine love and obsession for the game.⚽ Why girls aged 6-9 are missing crucial technical development time compared to boys — and what to do about it⚽ Athlete branding, how sports organizations can leverage digital media, the future of sponsorship deals, and strategies for commercial growth within football clubs and global sports franchises.This episode will also answer some questions about women's football ecosystem like:🏆 What can your daughter actually earn if she makes it professionally — and how fast are wages growing in the women's game?🏆 Should you prioritize "fun" over skill development, or can both coexist?🚀 Help us reach 20k subscribers by hitting the subscribe button and joining our community dedicated to youth football development!Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell for more insights on what parents must know about academy signings!How much is down to luck, genetics or being born into a football family. Follow us on social platforms for more exclusive content and updates! 🌟https://www.instagram.com/projectfootballer/https://www.tiktok.com/@project_footballer#FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers

Could AI change the way young footballers are scouted?Footballers are getting taller, and physical development is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around youth football. But when two players of the same age can be at completely different stages of growth and maturation, are we judging young talent fairly?In this episode of Project Footballer, Sean sits down with Haniff Brown, Founder and CEO of FIT:MATCH.ai, to explore how artificial intelligence and computer vision could transform youth football scouting and player development.FIT:MATCH.ai uses just four smartphone images to assess a young athlete's growth and development — including how fast they're growing, whether they're an early or late developer, when they're likely to hit their growth spurt and their predicted adult height.Together, they discuss:⚽ Why height and physical maturation matter in youth football scouting⚽ How AI can predict a young player's future height and growth trajectory⚽ Why an early-developing 14-year-old may outperform a late developer — without necessarily having more long-term potential⚽ How professional clubs are beginning to use technology to assess academy players⚽ The limitations of traditional scouting and physical measurements⚽ How smartphones could give scouts, coaches and parents access to data previously reserved for sports scientists⚽ Whether technology could help prevent talented late developers from being overlookedAs AI becomes a bigger part of professional sport, could technology like this fundamentally change how we identify and develop the next generation of footballers?Project Footballer is the voice of youth football, bringing together experts, coaches and industry leaders to explore the biggest issues shaping player development.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on future episodes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

England has world-class facilities, world-class clubs and the richest football league in the world. So why are England not winning more trophies as a nation? In this episode of Project Footballer, Sean sits down with former professional footballer, England Futsal international and coach Robert Ursell to discuss why England continues to fall short—and what needs to change.Together, they explore:⚽ Why Robert believes England needs a "complete cultural rethink"⚽ Why technique and decision-making should come before athleticism⚽ What Spain and Argentina are doing differently to develop world-class players⚽ Why Premier League success doesn't necessarily translate to international success⚽ Whether English academies are prioritising the right thingsWhether you're a coach, parent or player, this conversation will challenge the way you think about football development.

Are pre-academy players focusing on the wrong goals?In this episode of Project Footballer, we explore one of the biggest debates in youth football: whether too many young players are building their identity around academy status instead of long-term development.Many talented players tie their self-worth to pre-academy programmes that may never lead to professional football. We discuss the risks of early identity formation, why grassroots football remains one of the strongest environments for player development, and how parents and coaches can create healthier pathways for young footballers.We also discuss:- Why academy status shouldn't define a young player- Where the best talent is often overlooked- The pressures facing modern football parents- Social media's influence on youth football culture- How to prioritise development over recognition- What great coaching environments really look likeThis conversation offers a fresh perspective on helping young players reach their potential for the right reasons 🙌🏻

Aaron Burns spent over a decade inside Manchester United's academy, training alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Sir Alex Ferguson era. In this episode, he talks through his experience at Man Utd, what "purposeful practice" really looked like, and the culture shock of dropping down through Cardiff City, Iceland and non-league football once his time at United ended.He also opens up about walking away from chasing the top level in his mid-twenties, his current work leading the Association of Former Manchester United Players, and his advice to football parents on supporting young players without piling on the pressure.A conversation packed with insight on resilience, failure, and life after football.

🎙️ Project Footballer: I Made It Pro at QPR Without Loving FootballWhat happens when a player has the talent to make it in professional football - but not the passion?In this episode of Project Footballer, former Chelsea Academy player and QPR scholar Jordan Buck shares the untold reality of his journey through elite football.From signing for Chelsea at 13 to earning a full-time scholarship at QPR, Jordan achieved what thousands of young players dream of. But behind the success was a surprising truth: He never truly loved the game.This is an honest conversation about talent, parental influence, motivation, and the question every football parent should ask: What happens when talent has no passion?⚽ Chelsea Academy⚽ QPR Scholarship⚽ Youth Football Development⚽ Football Parents⚽ The Reality of Academy Football#ProjectFootballer #FootballParents #YouthFootball #AcademyFootball #QPR #ChelseaAcademy

🎙️ Project Footballer: The King Of Street Football - What Street Football Teaches UsWhat does street football really teach young players — and why are so many academy coaches now looking back to the cage?In this episode, Streetz Football founder Malachi Simpson joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boateng to break down the real value of street football and why unstructured play might be the missing piece in modern player development.Growing up in South London, Malachi built a movement through Streetz Football, creating spaces where creativity, resilience, confidence, and identity thrive beyond the academy structure. He shares why some of the best decision-makers in the game are shaped not on pristine pitches — but on concrete cages.This conversation dives into the culture of street football, how it sharpens mentality, and why freedom, flair, and problem-solving are qualities that can't always be coached.💡 In this episode:What street football teaches that academies often can’tWhy creativity comes from freedom, not structureThe psychological edge cage football buildsHow street culture shapes confidence and identityCan street football and academy football coexist?🎧 Perfect for:Parents, coaches, and young players who want to understand how creativity, resilience, and football intelligence are developed — and why the cage might be football’s greatest classroom.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify👉 Follow @ProjectFootballer for weekly conversations with ex-pros, coaches, scouts, and experts helping families navigate the journey to professional football ⚽️

🎙️ Project Footballer – Topsy Ojo: How My Son Went From QPR to ArsenalWhat really shapes a young footballer’s journey — natural athleticism or the knowledge gained along the way? In this episode, former professional rugby player Topsy Ojo joins Matthew Healy and Jenny Boetang to share powerful insights from both sides of elite sport.Drawing on his experience as a top-level athlete, Topsy opens up about how he’s supported his child through the academy system, including a move from QPR to Arsenal, and the lessons parents can learn when navigating youth football.This episode goes beyond talent, exploring how environment, education, mindset, and parental support can influence a child’s development just as much as physical ability.💡 In this episode:What professional sport teaches you about long-term developmentSupporting a child emotionally and practically in the academy systemThe move from QPR to Arsenal — what really changes?Is success down to genetics or learned knowledge?The role parents play without overstepping🎧 Perfect for:Parents, coaches, and young players who want a realistic, honest insight into academy life — and how experience, not just talent, can shape a footballer’s future.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify👉 Follow @ProjectFootballer for weekly conversations with ex-pros, coaches, scouts, and experts helping families navigate the journey to professional football ⚽️#FootballPassion #KidsFootballTraining #DevelopFootballSkills #RaisingFootballer #YoungFootballers

🎄 Project Footballer: Christmas Special — Your Questions, Our Answers 🎙️⚽In this festive Christmas Special of Project Footballer, Sean, Matt, and Jenny sit down to reflect on the year and dive into the comments and private messages you’ve been sending in.From honest questions to spicy takes, we unpack the hot topics shaping youth football right now — sharing practical advice, real experiences, and thoughtful debate along the way.In this episode, we cover:🎅 The most common questions from parents, players, and coaches🔥 Big talking points in youth football (development, pathways, pressure & more)💬 Responding to your DMs and comments — the good, the challenging, and the controversial⚽ What really matters for young players at different stages🎁 Key takeaways for families heading into the new yearWhether you’re a parent, coach, or young player, this Christmas catch-up is packed with insight, reflection, and plenty of honest conversation.👉 Subscribe for more episodes featuring parents of elite players, coaches, and experts👉 Comment below with your thoughts — or tell us what topic you want covered in the new yearWishing you a Merry Christmas and a football-filled New Year from all of us at Project Footballer 🎄⚽