He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years.
The ball is very much in the Swans court now with rumours of Brentford and other premier league clubs interested in him. No firm offers have been received for Sam other than the usual pressure being exerted on the Swans by his representatives. These details cannot be revealed as he is a player with representation, but under eighteen. Looking at that it makes him a viable target, but what will this seventeen year old gain at such a young age in say west London, away from home and pretty much on his own ?
We believe Brentford are the club who would hold the most interest, they took a young Iwan Morgan from the Swans, and as an ex team mate of Parker both youngsters will talk. Plus there’s a new broom in town.
It has to be noted that Stephen Torpey, (not him) is now in the managerial echelons of the academy as Director. Here’s a potted history from Brentford. ‘During his time with the Reds, he had the privilege of working with various age groups, honing his coaching skills and developing young talents. In 2014, Manchester City came calling, and Torpey made the switch to the northern powerhouse. Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks at the Manchester club, ultimately assuming the role of Academy Director. Manchester City's youth teams have achieved significant success in recent seasons, with the under-18s and under-21s winning the their third Premier League in a row last season. Having closed the Academy once before, I want to be clear that we have no intentions of re-opening an Academy with any thought that it should be closed again at any time in future. We want our new Academy to complement and enhance our B Team programme, which we are confident will remain the best way that we can bridge the gap between Academy and Premier League football.’
"We will be committed to running the best Academy that we can. In particular, we will put the welfare of the young people who attend our Academy at the forefront of our plans, with every Academy graduate benefitting from the experiences they gain from their time with Brentford, whether they eventually become a professional footballer or not."
Brentford, like Swansea find themselves on the receiving end of getting players poached, Morgan was a poor decision by the Swans, but he wanted to go. Money at the end of the day doing the talking. We have been told that Parker’s hamstring injury will ensure he won’t see games this season, but with a summer of hard work he will be back in the Swans squad for next season. To get Parker, Brentford will be digging deep for a player who hasn’t played a full game for the Swans, and has made two league appearances this season.
Education wise Brentford are pretty much in the driving seat with their programmes. You need qualifications from school, and good ones to apply to be at Brentford. Then they assess your skills base. The club also has younger sides of course but the main thrust is the Brentford B’ team. That’s their version of the Under 21 side. Parker would find himself in a better set up than at Swansea of course, but a new one based on what Brentford have to do under new Premier League guidelines for next season, not so much what they want to do.
Plus, would he make the grade in reserve team football ?
The Swans of course have links to certain educational programmes and offer scholarships, but with the club it’s more about talent first, it’s been a relative success, especially of late again. At seventeen Parker is a very small pawn in the game, he has two years of his contract to run, And let’s not forget he was delighted to sign it. If there is room for negotiations both parties need to get this nailed down. Clubs in Europe and in the Premier League don’t become interested in a youngster
by chance, he is being touted you can be assured on that. The contract offer or whatever is neither hear nor there, it’s time for the Swans to offer the young man a bit more and ensure he signs what’s on offer or get the best price for him. Like Iwan Morgan at Brentford it isn’t an easy journey. He is making a breakthrough with Brentford B’ but slowly. If Sam fancies a bit of that, and not forgetting living away from home, then crack on.
It won’t harm him at all but it will curtail his career initially, and take him out of his home countries limelight.