JayJay: I have observed teams of "ringers" not reach their true potential because they didn't gel as a team. I have seen "big clubs" collect talented players who were developed by "smaller clubs" and not focus on player development at the older age groups. Practice consists of constant scrimmaging. Players are placed in one position and forced to play it without ever being given the opportunity to utilize and apply their skills in any other. This, certainly, is not conducive to player development or creativity. The same players take the corner kicks, free kicks, play defense, midfield, offense throughout their club careers. What if a midfielder who is told not to shoot ends up playing forward in college? What if a forward who is taught not to pass ends up playing midfield or defense and a defender who is taught to boot the ball out of bounds or to some random spot on the other end of the field winds up being a midfielder or forward?
I have seen coaches "hide" talented players with the goal of appeasing less talented players and their parents. I have also watched the other extreme where a player who has been identified as "talented" is encouraged to take on the opposing team by themselves without working with their teammates. This, of course, leads to losses and ties that should otherwise be wins.
With that being said, great players yearn to play with and against great players. So, what is the solution?
