16 year old good enough for 1st team

[Mower Harvey]

I have a 16 year old youth player who is good enough to play most games for the first team, however I have heard training is more valuable at this age than match experience. But if he is playing most games, would it affect his development if I moved him from the youth team to the first team?

[herne79]

If he’s ready for the first team play him in the first team.  Training and playing matches at a relevant level are both important for development for all ages, although for under 18s training takes precedence (vice versa for 18+).  His personality may also benefit more if in the same squad as your senior players.

You can always assign him to play for one of your youth teams when he doesn’t play for the senior squad.