England dropped him at the U17s. Not for lack of talent, but for attitude. Coaches said he was disruptive and didn't fit the team culture. He'd been stagnating ever since. Should be in the U23s by now with his talent, maybe even the first-team squad of Crystal Palace. But his attitude held him back.
"And here's the kicker," Gary said, his voice low.
"He's the chairman's godson. Steve Parish's best friend's son. So we can't just release him. We have to try to fix him. The previous coach made some progress, but then Brentford came calling with an assistant manager role. Can't blame him for taking it. But it means Connor's reset again. He's your problem now."
"Why hasn't anyone benched him?" I asked. "Taught him consequences?"
"Politics," Gary said simply. "The Chairman wants him to succeed. Puts pressure on coaches to play him."
"So I'm expected to fix his attitude while also playing him?"
"Welcome to academy football. It's not always fair."
