Professional insight with James Parry

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malcolm elias

fulham FC - Chief head scout

I have been fortunate enough to work with some exceptional people during my time at Liverpool FC and now Fulham FC. One of the best is Chief Scout Malcolm Elias. I speak with him most days, even now while I am here coaching in LA. Below are some answers to a few questions I asked him. you will find it interesting!

Q: Who are some of the players you have identified currently playing in the English Premier League?

A: Theo Walcott -(Arsenal) Gareth Bale –(Tottenham) Kenwyn Jones - (Sunderland) Matthew Taylor – (Bolton Wanderers) Sam Rickets - (Hull) Leon Best - (Newcastle)

Theo Walcott	leon best	kenwyn jones	gareth bale

Q: In the past?

A: Mark Wright (Liverpool and England), Martin Keown (Arsenal and England), Gary Parker (Aston Villa and England).

Q: Which managers and coaches have you worked closely with?

A: (LIST)

Glenn Hoddle (Spurs, Southampton and England)

Harry Redknapp (West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Spurs)

Rafa Benitez (Liverpool, Inter Milan)

Roy Hodgson (Fuham FC, Liverpool)

Steve McClaren (Middlesbo. FC, FC Twente, VFL Wolfburg, England National Team)

Mark Lawrenson (Oxford)

Steve Wigley (Southampton, England U21)

Steve Heighway (Liverpool)

George Prost (Olympique Lyon)

Brian Horton (Manchester City)

John Hollins (Chelsea, Swansea)

Gary Brazil and Billy McKinlay (Fulham)

hodgson	hoddle	redknapp	mcclaren	brazil	benitez

Q: Most enjoyable part of recruitment?

A: Seeing young players develop, eg. Theo Walcott signed at 11 – played in FA Youth Cup as youngest ever player at Southampton. It was Disappointing when he moved onto Arsenal for £20 million but rewarding nonetheless.

 

Q: Main attributes that you look for in players from the 10-15 and 15-20 age brackets?

A: 10-15 Technical ability, athletic potential, game understanding as they move in to 11 aside football.

A: 15-20 Ability to be part of a team – improved game understanding, technical progress, athletic powers.

A: Athleticism is becoming more important than ever. Coaches now ask the questions – how tall is he? How quick is he?

Q: 3 key skills that you believe a good scout requires/posseses?

A: (LIST)

· 1) To look beyond what you see - eg at 12 what’s he going to be at 18? ie vision the best SCOUTS look to the FUTURE NOT FOR TODAY.

· 2) Be aware of what you are looking for – criteria for certain positions eg you wouldn’t take a goalkeeper who was only going to be 5ft 2” full height.

· 3) Back your judgement, ie. don’t be influenced by others. Too many scouts worry about what ‘other people’ feel about a player.

 

Q: Activities and tasks involved in your typical working week during the season?

A: I oversee a Recruitment Team of full and part time staff. You MUST DELEGATE and give responsibility to key staff in your department. My preferred option is to be out watching games.

However, often the PRIORITY is to FINALISE the SIGNING of a PLAYER which can mean being office bound.

Contracts for players, transfer fee for player, accommodation etc are all time consuming but VITALLY IMPORTANT. Similarly the RETAINING of your TOP PLAYERS who will always be the target of TOP CLUBS.

Agents have also become a big part of the Recruitment week especially the one's that have the players you want.

Therefore Recruitment has become far more than IDENTIFYING THE PLAYER.... hence the need for DELEGATION. Similarly you may have to make 5 different flights in 5 days or even more to TRACK PLAYERS.

My staff rely on me to complete the SIGNING OF RECOMMMENDED PLAYER/S so this does take up a great deal of my time as does report reading, watching DVDs etc.

Technology has become a massive recruitment tool. Recruitment is an ever changing world so the weekly schedule is also ever changing.

Player availability/non availability likewise.

“Never say never” is a favourite saying in football and it’s so true.

 

Q: Few words of advice for the players of the DMSII Academy

A: Enjoy every training session, go well prepared and show desire to listen and learn. Be receptive to what your coach tells you. Want to be the best you can be all the time.

Watch players in your position and learn from them eg – Tim Howard if you are a GK, Clint Dempsey from my club Fulham FC if you are a striker.

Take every opportunity that comes your way..

All the best, Malcolm

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