I haven't argued either way the merits of being homegrown or not, of course, it's a massive consideration but I'm talking about the age of the player and specifically the age of CB's that nail a place in a top league..........
Which brings us onto this:
"My point is that AGE does not make a difference. EXPERIENCE does. Those players have managed to hold down their places in top teams due to gathered experiences, not because magic fairy Tinkerbell flew to them in their sleep during the night they turned 25".
"I'll be 29 in the weekend. Never had serious football training in my life.
Based on age, I should be prime candidate for EPL CB position shouldn't I "?
I mean wow!
The relevance is in a "top league" it's very, very rare young CB's hold down this position until they are in or around 25. Go ask VVD, Toby, Dier, Maguire, Chambers, Holding.
Possible exceptions to this (there are always some) would be:
De light - Arguably one of the best CB's in World Football. Whilst holding his place this season it's been one where he's been heavily criticized for his performances. I this down to his age, moving to a new Club, new Top League? Yes, probably all three. I expect him to be nailing his spot for Juve next year and becoming more settles and his performances improving as a result.
Gomez - Terrific talent, but has been the player called out this season for poor performances, lost his place to Matip a couple of times too. But clearly he's their future and I expect him to nail down a CB spot unless they feel he still has some way to go before this happens and they buy another CB older than him who he can compete with, there is loads of paper talk that is linking them to many CB's with heavy speculation on Diego Carlos a 27yr old.
Nathan Ake - Good CB an ever stay in one of the most porous defences in the league, certainly benefited at being at Bournemouth (the smallest club in the PL) it has to be said. He's now 25. Clearly nailed the CB position as his.
Christensen - I think he's superb but has struggled this season (Chavs glaring problem area is their defence). I think him and Zouma will be there preferred choices going forward. Zouma is also a potential for this exception list, he's 25 now and held down spots in two PL clubs on loan. Like Ake clearly benefitted from getting loans at poor sides (Everton and Stoke), I think Ake's performances were far better on balance than Zouma's.
But go through the entire list of PL clubs and their CB's positions are largely filled by mature players, with young players loaned out to shit clubs or not top leagues. CB's rarely nail down their spot until around (give or take) the age of 25.