Potential to build further
It’s fair to say that Reading never hit top gear last season, only scoring 4 on one occasion, and never really dominating for a full 90 minutes. A lack of a real X factor forced Stam to shut games down once in the lead and hold on, even if that meant running down the clock.
Getting to a Play-Off final without ever reaching the side’s top gear indicates incredible potential lying in this squad, and with little likelihood of any key players leaving, Stam has all summer to perfect his system and add some much-needed backups and additions as well.
Stam has committed to seeing out his ‘3-year plan’ with the Royals, and could well stay on past then, and should the Dutchman look to really extend his legacy, the youth academy is stacked with talented young players who could be moulded into his 4-3-3/3-5-2 systems.
Liam Kelly was a revelation in the centre of the park this season, and at just 21 years of age, like England under 21 midfielder John Swift, the sky is the limit. Right back Tennai Watson also looks an incredible talent, and Luke Southwood, fresh from his Under-20 World Cup win, may well make the step up soon.
Yakou Meite was wanted by multiple Premier League clubs before signing for Reading, and Liam Moore, Tyler Blackett and Tiago Ilori, all under 24, could form a back 3 that could serve Reading for years to come.
Whilst Leeds have the likes of Ronaldo Vieira, Lewie Coyle and Kalvin Phillips themselves, the host of youth talent Reading have on offer is astounding, and with the under-23s and under-18s already being moulded into Stam’s system, Reading quite possibly have the making of the next Southampton with their conveyor belt of talent.