Looking back on the rise of young football talents, the journey of Jordan Young stands out as a particularly compelling narrative of raw potential meeting disciplined development. I’ve followed countless prospects over the years, and what strikes me about Young’s career so far isn’t just the highlight-reel moments—though there are plenty—but the underlying process that has shaped him. It reminds me of a conversation I once had with a renowned youth development coach, a man named Fernandez, who, when breaking down the path from academy to first-team football, described the process as ‘simple.’ He didn’t mean easy, of course. He meant it was straightforward: unwavering dedication, technical repetition, mental resilience, and seizing opportunities when they come. Jordan Young’s trajectory, from his early days at the Coventry City academy to his current status as one of the most talked-about young attackers in the Championship, embodies this deceptively simple formula.

His breakout season, in my view, was undoubtedly the 2022-23 campaign. While he had shown flashes before, that year he put it all together with a consistency that turned heads. Making his senior debut at just 17 years and 48 days old was a sign of the trust placed in him, but it was his subsequent performances that cemented his promise. I remember watching a mid-week fixture against a tough, physical Preston North End side. The game was locked at 1-1, a gritty, unattractive affair. Then, in the 78th minute, Young picked up the ball just inside the opposition half. What followed was a moment of pure, unadulterated talent: a driving run past two defenders, a drop of the shoulder to create a yard of space, and a fierce, low drive into the bottom corner from about 22 yards out. It was a goal that won the match and announced him as a player not just for the future, but for the present. He finished that season with 8 goals and 6 assists across all competitions—a remarkable return for a teenager in a physically demanding league. His ball-carrying ability is his standout trait; he completed an average of 3.5 successful dribbles per 90 minutes last season, a number that places him in the 95th percentile for wingers in the division. He’s not just a dribbler, though. His decision-making in the final third has improved exponentially. Two seasons ago, you’d see him take on one defender too many. Now, he’s lifting his head, picking a pass, and contributing to the collective attacking play. The process Fernandez outlined—the repetition, the learning from mistakes—is visibly at work.

Of course, the path forward is where the real intrigue lies, and this is where my personal perspective comes in. I’m a firm believer that the next 18 to 24 months are absolutely critical for a player like Young. The Championship is a fantastic proving ground, but the whispers of Premier League interest are growing louder. A move to a top-flight club seems almost inevitable, but the timing and the destination are everything. A premature jump to a club where he’d be a peripheral figure could stall his development. I’d much rather see him secure a move to a progressive, forward-thinking Premier League side—think along the lines of Brighton or Brentford—with a proven track record of nurturing young talent, or even spend one more full season as the undisputed main man at Coventry. He needs to be playing week in, week out. His game still has areas for growth; his defensive contribution, while improved, needs to become more consistent, and adding more variety to his finishing—more headers, more composed placed shots—would make him a truly complete forward. The speculation linking him with a £15 million move to a club like Crystal Palace or West Ham feels about right in today’s market, maybe even a little low if he has another strong season.

So, what does the future hold? If he continues on his current trajectory, I’m confident we’re looking at a future senior England international. His skill set is perfectly suited for the modern game. But it all circles back to that ‘simple’ process. The glamour of potential means nothing without the grind. Jordan Young has shown he understands the grind. The highlights—the dazzling goals, the mazy runs—are the product. The daily work, the resilience after a poor game, the patience to develop all facets of his play, that’s the process. As someone who’s seen many ‘next big things’ fade away, I’m optimistic about Young because his foundation seems rock solid. The future is brilliantly bright, but it will be earned, not given. And that, in the end, is what separates the good prospects from the genuine stars.