PL2 is the English football's premium U23 competition.



The country's best academies, housing some of the best and brightest young footballers, battle it out across two divisions; a competition often under-reported and under-appreciated.



Joe is joined by Jonathan Fadugba of Future Global Sports, to discuss this season in PL2, the merits and pitfalls of academy development compared to the EFL and non-league, as well as individual case studies from Leeds United and Aston Villa. Listen now.



5:16: Premier League 2 Background



8:34: PL2 pathways



13:40: Merits, pitfalls and alumni of the U23 system



18:35: Talent ID, non-league as an alternative route and Sorba Thomas’ rise



27:12: PL2 in 2020/21 - James McAtee, Arsenal and U23 standouts



33:11: PL2 case studies - Aston Villa



37:07: PL2 case studies - Leeds United



44:45: How to determine the success of an academy 



51:55: PL2 predictions and forecasts for the U23 format