I’d make national associations in charge of player development until 16. No clubs involved at all.

Then a USA draft type system of recruitment. 👍

The academy system has completely failed- doesn’t work for clubs and most importantly doesn’t work for the thousands of children who are treated so poorly by it year on year. Restricted from playing with mates, stopped from playing other sports etc.... and for what? For nothing really. Im convinced better, more creative anyway, players would be produced if the clubs were kept well away- get rid of them.