Yes I took my examples from the top of the Premier scoring lists so as you say I used elite players and you are correct in what you say (lose 10% off their play and its still good enough but not necessary so with a player of lesser ability that has done well to reach the level).mshnd06 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2022, 23:15 Also, I'd like to quibble a bit with SW. While I agree that there are examples of enormously successful 30+ aged players, they are, as shown by your examples, to be almost exclusively elite talents to begin with. It's easier to weather the decline of athleticism that accompanies age if you are also technically and tactically elite. Peripheral players often have less of these mitigating qualities. I don't think it is unreasonable to say that Ayling, Klich, Forshaw, Dallas, much as I love them, are more likely to descend to the level of squad player post-30 than the likes of Vardy, Ronaldo, etc...
However I stand by my point that 30 is a mythical number in the mind of some fans mind with no factual evidence. I accept certain things decline but others are stronger at that age and they are lots of factors involved such as conditioning, diet, injury history, etc.
I've done quite a bit of work in sports science looking at various sports and different areas of fitness such stamina (cardio), power/strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, reflex & reaction, etc all of which have their peaks at different ages.
Different Sports or even different positions on a football field require all areas to be good but some better than others. Extreme example is a long distance runner would base their training on areas different to a Sprinter.
Of course experience also comes into the calculation but in reality to add an opinion a striker may peak around 26 where a CB maybe nearer 30.
Anyway I could discuss the subject and write a book as long as war and peace on it but the bottom line is our coaching staff will be testing and monitoring all areas of every player and will be first to know when decline accelerates.
A interesting fact to ponder -
1. 102 players older than our oldest Klich played for Premier Clubs last season.
Not checked in full detail I believe we were the only Club not to use a player born in the 80's (Klich was born in 1990).
Age and Sport really is a subject of its own and of course you can't beat it but the younger players need to push the older ones out by performance not just because they are younger.