Stack column: It pays to be a loan ranger

By Graham Stack
What is more beneficial for the development of young players and what best prepares them for the challenges of top-flight football? Will a young player who goes out on loan to a lower league club or Non-League club have the edge over a young player who stays and plays academy football?
There are mixed opinions for what makes the transition from a talented young player into an established first-team player, game ready and best equipped for the demands and pressures of first- team football.
I have experienced and seen both sides during my playing career. I believe the loan system has enhanced the opportunities for young players to test themselves both physically and mentally at a level maybe frowned upon by teammates. It is an opportunity to play in high-pressure games where results are more important than performance and development unlike in the academy.
I have often heard young players say that they aren’t dropping down that far or the standard isn’t good enough. It tends to be these players that decide to stay at their club play academy games and get overtaken by other young players who have shown a desire and a hunger to test themselves, get out of their comfort zone and take the opportunity to play competitive football.
Young players are often concerned that when they go on loan they are out of sight and out of mind but nowadays this isn’t the case. Clubs now have loan managers whose role is to monitor and advise the management team of the progress of a player and the potential opportunities for other players they feel need to be tested. They attend games regularly and give detailed reports on the individual’s performance while having regular contact with the loan club.
At the age of 20, I sat down with Arsene Wenger and he asked me my thoughts on moving abroad and playing in the Belgium top-flight for KSK Beveren for a season on loan. He felt it would be great for my development on and off the pitch. I was initially unsure but knew deep down it was exactly what I needed to develop my game and mature as a young man.
The opportunity to experience a different culture in a foreign country and learn about different playing philosophies and training methods was too good an opportunity to pass up. Upon my return to Arsenal the next season I was given a first-team squad number and played five times ensuring I was offered a new contract. The sacrifices were well and truly worth it. I came back both stronger physically and mentally better prepared than I would have been if I had chosen to play in the reserves.
Young players are frightened to fail and fear a loan move to a lower league club with less talented players may reflect badly on them and the style of play might not suit their game. Young players fear signing for a lower league club and finding themself as a sub will reflect badly and have people question if they are good enough. This can then have a huge effect on a player’s confidence and will have an adverse affect on what is meant to be a positive experience. In my opinion, for the player to enjoy, learn and ultimately play and develop it is vital the player is found a club that encourages them to showcase their talent while adapting to various playing styles.

When recruiting young players on loan, managers will always have an element of doubt even though they come highly recommended and have performed well against other academy players. They are unproven and inexperienced playing competitive men’s football where they will be tested physically and mentally more than ever before. Young hungry players that go on loan and pass these tests that have a greater chance of returning to their club better equipped with more confidence and first-team experience playing in front of bigger more hostile crowds.
When players go on loan to the lower leagues they have a chance to put themselves in the shop window, be part of a cup run and the potential to play in televised games. Loan moves can often mean swapping a la carte menus for jacket potato and beans, washing your own kit and making your own way to games. Not having a state-of-the-art gym, training facilities and a team of coaches around them to look after their every need can often be a challenge. It is normally the players who don’t moan, embrace the club’s culture and get on with it that go on to succeed.
The sacrifice of swapping top class facilities; arguably more advanced coaching with technically better players is well worth making. The challenge of Non-League football has proven the perfect platform for England stars Jamie Vardy and Jordan Pickford to learn valuable lessons and make mistakes as young players.
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