Emile Heskey has said he understands JJ Gabriel's desire to leave Manchester United in pursuit of first-team football, but the former Liverpool forward admits the teenager's representatives have put the club in an impossible position when it comes to bringing him back into the fold.
Gabriel has been at the centre of major transfer speculation after requesting to leave Manchester United last month. The teenager is currently training on his own in Barcelona as he pursues first-team opportunities elsewhere, with Spanish heavyweights linked along with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Heskey draws on family experience
Heskey, whose own children have moved through Manchester City's academy, made his thoughts clear to 10bet about the situation. He said: "I get it from the point of view of the parents. A lot of these talented boys are very impatient and they don't want to bide their time to try and dislodge someone.
"The reality is, you've got to dislodge someone - you've got to be better than someone to get a place in the team. Opportunities can present themselves. I got my breakthrough when a player was sick, but that was because I was the only other option, but then you've got to do well and take the opportunity. As a young player, especially these days, you push for a scenario and you want that pathway.
"For JJ Gabriel, he wants to play first-team football, which you've got to give to him if he feels that he's ready for that and he feels very confident in his ability. But you're at one of the biggest clubs in the world, so who are you going to dislodge, and are you better than them?
"It's an almost impossible task for a 15-year-old to be playing first team football at a club in the Premier League. You've got to be better than the senior pros in the starting line up to play every week."
Odegaard comparison
Heskey pointed to Martin Odegaard as a prime example of a highly-rated youngster at one club who ultimately made his name elsewhere. He explained: "It could be the same kind of thing as Martin Odegaard. When Odegaard joined Real Madrid at 16, every club wanted him. He ended up out on loan year after year and barely played for Real.
"There's not an obvious route to the first team, if he takes that route and goes to one of the big Spanish clubs. The silver-lining would be, you're playing first team, men's football, you're developing.
"You can only believe in your own ability to get yourself a first-team spot somewhere. If he chooses Real Madrid or Barcelona and if he believes in himself very highly, then you can't argue with the decision of the player and the family."
Advice for young players
Heskey concluded by urging Gabriel to seek game time wherever possible, insisting the teenager cannot afford to sit and wait for first-team opportunities. He added: "These kids actually have to go out and play. But it's all about choosing the right club and the right time to go. You can't be hanging around waiting when you get to 18, 19, 20 because you're wasting your career."
