Football Clubs Increasingly Prioritize Youth Over Experience, Leaving Veteran Players in Limbo
Brussels, Belgium – A shifting landscape in professional football is leaving experienced players increasingly vulnerable, as clubs prioritize younger talent even at the expense of proven performers.This trend, highlighted by football analyst Christophe Franken, coincides with tightening budgets and a focus on future resale value, creating a difficult market for players over 25.
Franken observes that a player’s 30th anniversary often marks a turning point, coinciding with the end of their contract and a perceived decline in value.”No need for thirty candles today, we are off before that. As we are not worth much,” he notes, reflecting the current sentiment within the sport. The primary driver is financial: clubs are increasingly constrained and view the transfer market as their main tool for financial adjustment.
“today, clubs prefer a young 5/10 rather then 6/10 over 25 years old,” Franken states. This preference stems from the belief that a younger player with potential offers a greater return on investment than a seasoned player whose growth is considered limited.
The pool of clubs able too afford established, but not elite, players over 25 is shrinking. English clubs, Saudi Arabian teams, and to a lesser extent, Spanish sides remain the primary buyers.Russian and Chinese investment has waned, while German and Portuguese clubs favor youth development. French clubs are hampered by declining television revenue, and Italian teams frequently enough wait for players to become free agents.
This trend forces clubs to gamble on U23 players, betting on potential rather than current ability. “The leaders will, in general, prefer a kid who has a level 5/10 at time T but which could become an 8 or even 8 rather than taking a 6/10 which will no longer progress much,” Franken explains. He likens this approach to an extreme version of the fable of the cicada and the ant, prioritizing future security over present enjoyment.
However, some clubs are bucking the trend. Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, such as, continues to invest in experienced players alongside youth. The recent signing of Rob Schoofs, 31, following the potential departure of Charles Vanhoutte, 26, demonstrates a belief in the value of experience in key positions.
Franken acknowledges that not all players decline with age, citing Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent performance – scoring a double for Portugal at age 40 on September 6th – as an exception. Nevertheless, he argues that dismissing talented players solely based on age represents a “sad waste.”
