Tractor has recorded the weakest statistics in the Premier League with only 23 minutes of playtime for young players. While the total minutes of young players in the Premier League has reached 35,601 minutes, this statistic clearly indicates the significant gap between the claims of the coaching staff and their actual performance on the field. Javad Nekounam, the head coach of Tractor, who considers himself a serious critic of the youth development policy in the national team, has faced severe criticism in this regard.
Poor Performance in Utilizing Young Talents
Alongside Mes Shahrbabak, Tractor is at the lowest level in terms of the number of young players utilized, having only used two young players so far. Amirali Khorami and Morteza Fazeli, the only representatives of the youth in this team, have collectively played only 23 minutes on the field. This statistic is extremely concerning for a team with the technical capacities and facilities of Tractor. Although giving opportunities to young talents can help their growth and also benefit the club, the current performance of the coaching staff shows that young players have a very minimal share in the team's plans.
Read more: Abulfazl Rahmani and Mohammadzadeh Won Gold in the World Wrestling U23 Championships
Duality in Youth Development Policies
Morteza Fazeli, a 20-year-old central midfielder, is a clear example of this situation. He played as a main player for Esteghlal Khuzestan in the first three weeks of the league, but after transferring to Tractor, he has not had many opportunities to play. Similarly, Amirali Khorami, a 21-year-old left winger, has had the chance to play only once for 6 minutes. This duality becomes more pronounced when we look at Nekounam's and his associates' positions on youth development in the national team. Criticism of Amir Ghalenoei's policies and the demand for more use of young players in the national team can only be credible if signs of the same approach are seen in their own performance.
The youth of Tractor are not limited to just these two players, and several other young talents are also on the team's roster. Players who could have had the opportunity to prove their abilities in the final minutes of matches or under suitable conditions. Erfan Darvishali, the former captain of the youth and junior national teams, along with four other 19-year-old players, are also part of this team but have been deprived of playing opportunities due to lack of utilization.
Thus, Tractor's share of 23 minutes out of a total of 35,601 minutes of young players' presence in the Premier League is approximately 0.06 percent. This number clearly indicates the concerning state of youth development in this team. Currently, a serious question arises regarding the coaching staff's plan for nurturing and evaluating these talents. Are these players meant to remain merely on the team roster without the opportunity to showcase their abilities?
Ultimately, Nekounam and his coaching staff must respond to this duality. Is youth development a necessity for the future of Iranian football, or is it only raised when criticizing the performance of others? These questions require clear answers so that young players can also find the necessary opportunities to shine in the country's football scene.
Read more: Hasan Rangraz and the Championship of the Iranian Greco-Roman Wrestling National Team in Las Vegas · Seyed Mehdi Rahmati: AFC Should Provide Hosting Conditions in Iran
