Can you believe this report???

Can you believe this report???

MEXICO BOUND: Melville's Jesse Edge     will compete at the FIFA U17 World Cup. PHOTO: Cordwainer Bull

Edge named in NZ U17s

Congratulations are due to Jesse Edge    , who has been named in the NZ squad to compete at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico next month. But for injury Harry Edge would likely also have been included.

Jesse, 16, has fine technique, good attitude, infectious personality, a top work ethic, and is one of the best dead ball specialists in the club.

However his coach, manager and uncle, Declan Edge, played down the international call-up, saying it was important not to make too much of a fuss about such honours.

"You actually don�t have to be that good to play for New Zealand," he said. "This should be a good experience for Jesse, but it is not the main thing, it is only a sideshow to the real work of developing as a footballer.

"It is a mistake to make it the pinnacle for kids. We don�t want them thinking they are good and have made it at that age. The love of practice and detail can disappear when get things happen too quickly."

Declan said another 6-7 of his players could easily have been included in the squad if the criteria was technical proficiency, but Jesse got the nod because he was also well developed physically.

"He is a physically built boy and that is how they want them for the U17s and U20s, so at six foot he fits the profile beautifully."

By contrast, Declan said he was more focused on producing a different type of player to those produced elsewhere in New Zealand. His emphasis was on technical ability and keeping possession of the football � something Jesse is also very good at.

"If you look at the U17 World Cup you�ll note Spain is absent. They seldom quality or do well at that level, because they are focused on producing footballers rather than trying to compete physically at an age group.

"On my programme we also base ourselves on keeping possession of the football, with a short fast passing game based on ball movement, good technique, and a very aggressive pressing game.

"It is very similar to what Barcelona is doing. The game is changing and we are starting to see a physical-type game will not beat the likes of Barcelona. That is the real story here."

Meanwhile Declan said Jesse was banned from wearing his NZ football gear at Gower Park.

"He can tall about his New Zealand experiences if asked, but it is really not the issue of the programme. We are trying to develop footballers."

# The NZ U17s beat Melville Youth Academy 2-1 at Allen Hill Stadium on June 8. Jesse Edge played in midfield at supplied the free kick from which the winner was scored. However for long periods Melville looked like winning. They took an early lead through Pedro, and dominated possession. But Melville were finally undone by New Zealand at set pieces, with the other goal coming from a header from a corner midway trhough the second half.

 

To an extent, yes.

Elaborate please?

Reresenting NZ is an honor, yes, but it is not the be all and end all of football. Getting a professional contract at a club in Europe or Asia requires development of a player, just like the article mentioned.

I agree with those comments but Edges quotes seem overly negative if you ask me. Rather than celebrating the fact that one of his players had made a nz team he down plays it to such an extent he almost sounds bitter .

lots of youth internationals don't go on to play in the top flight in their nation or others

so Edge Senior is right to keep a player from getting too full of themselves,

and possibly right in his view that a focus on selecting and developing players who are necessarily big and strong for their age might not necessarily pay off for the national team in the longer run

Cheers for posting. Good article.

YES, I agree with those comments, but in acknowledging the need not to feed the young players ego's  cant we give this young boy some merit rather than saying "congrats son, thanks to your height and build, you made the team!"

He didn't say that all. The message i got was that whilst he fitted the mould of NZ reps at his age, that he was unlike the other players in that he was very skillful on the ball and in keeping possession

Read again.......Jesse got the nod because he was also well developed physically.

"He is a physically built boy and that is how they want them for the U17s and U20s, so at six foot he fits the profile beautifully."

"His emphasis was on technical ability and keeping possession of the football � something Jesse is also very good at."

They took an early lead through Pedro, and dominated possession

Loud Noises!!!!tpmyhill2011-06-13 07:45:32

Sounds like the biggest douche!!

Meanwhile Declan said Jesse was banned from wearing his NZ football gear at Gower Park.

"He can tall about his New Zealand experiences if asked, but it is really not the issue of the programme. We are trying to develop footballers."

not nearly as outrageous an article as i was expecting upon reading the thread title.

Where was the article published, who was its intended to be read by?

http://www.melvilleunited.co.nz/Latest!.php