Earn Scholarship at Professional European Club for 2025/2026 season
- Ian McClurg - MSc Performance Coaching
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
We have been asked by Serie B club Pescara to identify talented players born in 2007/2008/2009 for possible full or partial academy scholarships at the club for the 2025/2026 season.
The club is fully committed to identifying talented youth players who they can develop into 1st team players and ultimately sell to Serie A clubs.
Recently, the club sold Antonio Arena, a young Australian player, who they had developed in their academy to Roma for 1 million Euros.
We will assessing players at our Next Pro Trials Player ID event in Burlington (August 12/13) for these opportunities.
Many players that I meet underestimate the high demands of professional football in the UK and Europe and the commitment required before clubs will be willing to invest in a young player.
To reach the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological standards required by professional academy and senior-level environments in the UK and Europe, players will have to develop and execute this type of Individual Learning Plan (ILP).
We can assist players with coaching support to execute this level of Individual plan - get in touch to learn more.
1. Technical Targets
Focus Areas:
First touch, passing range, ball mastery
1v1 attacking/defending
Finishing under pressure (all positions)
Weekly Targets:
✅ 3–5 technical sessions (individual or small group)
✅ 300–500 touches daily
✅ Practice both feet in all drills
✅ Video record technique and self-analyze
2. Tactical Development
Focus Areas:
Understanding multiple formations (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3)
Decision-making under pressure
Game intelligence: scanning, movement, timing of runs
Position-specific roles and responsibilities
Learning Actions:
✅ Watch 1–2 pro matches per week (focus on position-specific players)
✅ Participate in video review of own games
✅ Attend tactical webinars or workshops
✅ Develop a “game journal” to record learnings
3. Physical Development
Focus Areas:
Strength, speed, agility, and endurance
Body composition and injury prevention
Recovery routines and mobility work
Weekly Targets:
✅ 2–3 strength & conditioning sessions
✅ Sprint/agility + plyometric drills (2x/week)
✅ Maintain healthy body fat % (Males: 8–12%, Females: 14–18%)
✅ Regular performance testing (Yo-Yo, 20m sprint, jump tests)
4. Psychological Skills
Focus Areas:
Confidence and resilience under pressure
Mental preparation and goal setting
Focus, leadership, and accountability
Learning Actions:
✅ Set weekly and monthly SMART goals
✅ Practice visualization and mental rehearsal
✅ Reflect post-match and post-training (journal or coach check-in)
✅ Learn from setbacks and feedback
5. Extra Development Actions
✅ Add online technical/tactical/fitness sessions to match European training volume (12–15 hrs/week)
✅ Seek challenges: train with older players, attend ID camps
✅ Build highlight video + performance profile
✅ Engage in trial preparation programs aligned with UK/EU academy expectations
