Sam Curtis

Certainly a worry.
Two big U21 matches upcoming and we'll see how he fares against the better players at this age-group, particularly the Italians who've looked a class above each time we played them.

Obviously there will be a genuine answer to this, but his contract runs out and he turns 18, meaning Pats get nothing for him. Presumably the player wanted it this way, so he had freedom to choose to go anywhere he wanted on a free contract. Pats couldnt get him to sign a longer deal, like they have with Mason Melia?

The age old problem of very good young players leaving for the UK and Irish clubs not able to capitalise with a fee...

I think it's a possibility. From what I've seen, he doesn't have the electric pace or technique you'd associate with a top class full back, and wouldn't have the physical size you see with most top centre backs. I think there are a lot of parallels with O'Connor in the sense that he's a solid player who'll do a good job in various positions, but maybe won't excel in any of them.

Looks fully grown to me, probably part of the reason he's been able to step up to mens football so early. Clearly he's good, I'd just have some reservations that he's an early developer who maxes out their potential quite early, rather than someone who's going to continue to make big leaps of development.

 

You can look at everything in life with a glass half empty approach if you like. Can equally look at it as this is a guy who is ticking a ton of boxes so far and no reason not to think he can get a move to a bigger club and further improve.