U-18 and U-21 league? Potential for players to succeed too regimental?

1. I know this is a problem with real life English football but is there a league system in place for U-18 and U-21.

I find that majority of matches are meaningless friendlies against poor opposition.

I want to track my U-21 and U-18 progression in meaningful games.


2. I also feel like the likelihood of players making it to the first team from the U-18 is too regimental and they will never make it.

For example in my game at Hull City there is currently no players in the U-18 that would ever realistically make the first team.

You could say this is representation of real football. But I believe in real life and on the game there are players that given the right hard work, training, tutoring etc could make that step up.

It's frustrating that the current batch or with a future regen batch you instantly know that most won't go higher than average League One or Two. Because you can tell that by the stars rating. I'd like to think that some players could defy those really low expectations they start with.



For example in real life Hull City have signed about 8 players over the last year from non league sides who they think could make it given the right training and development. And plenty of Premier League teams sign young players who are unattached and overlooked.

The chances on the game of that happening are almost 0%.

I just don't think player progression is spontaneous enough. There are players right now in U18 teams all over the country with very low expectations that will go on to defy to the odds and make it at a higher level than expected.