JJ Gabriel and the threat of commodity over identity

Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona?

It’s the kind of choice most 15-year-olds who love football can ever dream of.

Not for one youngster, though. For JJ Gabriel – one of the most highly-rated prospects in English football – the choice is real.

Valuable commodities

Until recent weeks, it’s likely you would never have heard of JJ Gabriel. That changed when news emerged that he wanted to leave Manchester United. Reports suggest the youngster and his representatives are unhappy with how the club are handling his developments, with Real Madrid and Barcelona rumoured to be among those targeting him.

The story has sparked debate and concern over the rapidly prosperous world of academy football, where children are increasingly seen as valuable commodities by clubs in their pursuit of glory.

There are many reasons from this, from better coaching and opportunities at grassroots level to financial fair play laws where young talent adds to a club’s all-important profit margins. Even Brexit has played a role, because since the UK left the EU, foreign players cannot join English clubs until aged 18, forcing clubs to look closer to home, raising interest and premium in our brightest prospects.

Children are increasingly seen as valuable commodities by clubs in their pursuit of glory.

Meanwhile, the phenomenal trajectory of players like Lamine Yamal – the Barcelona winger who broke all sorts of records playing for Spain in Euro 2024, aged just 16 – has shown players, clubs, agents and parents just how quickly our most promising young footballers can reach the top.

But are people right to be concerned? And what might it mean for the parents and carers among us who have children whose dream it is to be the next Lamine Yamal or JJ Gabriel?

Celebration and caution

Looking at it positively, the interest in academy football gives children a greater platform to thrive. Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka – two wonderfully gifted players who are using their skills to share their Christian faith – are flourishing now because of an academy system that believed in them. And who hasn’t watched Lamine Yamal on TV and not been astonished at what he can do with a football at such a tender age? Football is known as the beautiful game and he epitomises that, all while inspiring a multitude of children worldwide.

But there is no hiding the dangers. The eye-watering sums in player contracts and transfers, even as a teenager, can be deeply troubling, bringing input from representatives, like agents, who might not always have the child’s best interests at heart. Even parents can be wrongly swayed by the potential of their children to earn the family millions.

The reality is that only around 4% of academy prospects reach the top tier of professional football. And even they do, the dangers can often be heightened.

Raheem Sterling offers a cautionary example. He came through Liverpool’s academy, broke into their first team before making a £49 million move to Man City, winning several major trophies. He also featured regularly for England.

When a move to Chelsea failed to work out, he was placed with another player in a so-called “bomb squad” and forced to train alone. It prompted the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to contact the club over their welfare.

Earlier this month, Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drug offences following a crash in May.

We are not privy to what prompted such damaging behaviour, but his experiences are not unlike those of many footballers who have reached the pinnacle of the sport – and with it the adulation and money – only to hit a real low, be that because of injury, addiction, retirement or something else.

Each one is a sobering reminder of the game’s darker side, which can lavish players with wealth, opportunity and attention, before leaving them by the wayside when the next big thing comes along. It’s a fickle old game.

Identity in Christ

It’s estimated that 1.5 million children are involved in organised football in England alone. With scouts often circling, it’s possible that a career in football may emerge for the young people in our lives. For some, perhaps that’s already happening.

Of course, it’s immensely thrilling – for our children and for us. That can crank up a notch as bigger clubs express interest and discussions turn to contracts.

But amid the progress and performance, another story must prevail.

The greater God is to them, the less fearful they are.

I can recall Graham Daniels, CEO of Christians in Sport, telling me the most important thing they do for elite athletes is remind them of their identity in Christ. Because when injuries, defeats and retirement come, and the high of winning fades, it’s the rock they can always depend on. “The irony is, the greater God is to them, the less fearful they are. There is such joy it liberates their game. It’s wonderful to watch,” he said.

More than anything else, skills and giftings included, this is what must be called out in them. 

One way we can do this is by ensuring that church involvement is a priority. Many churches have services and activities that mean children can play football and still be involved with church. Marc Guehi, the Manchester City defender whose father is a vicar, has said “God first” was the rule in his household growing up, which is why he would never play football on Sunday until he began pursuing it as a career. Today, faith remains central to Guehi’s life.

It’s amazing to see our children find their feet on the football pitch, or whererver their talents take them, but may our greatest excitement be reserved for them recognising, above all, that they are a treasured child of God.