The short answer is very, very, very, difficult.

Here's how tough it is in actual numbers.

Broad figures

Of the 1.5 million youths in England playing organised football, only 180 will make it as a Premier League pro.

That's a success rate of 0.012%.

Now, you might be thinking, that's too broad a scope, any kid can get enrolled into organised football when they're young.

That's true, so let's narrow the scope once more.

Academy

Let's say you get enrolled in an academy, which is several notches higher than your average Sunday leagues.

These academies provide dedicated coaching, training sessions and organised matches.

Prospective players usually enter the system before the age of 10 and play till they're around 15 or 16.

And even with this advanced level of coaching, the odds of making it to the EPL barely tick up.

Less than 0.5% make it.

Nearing the top

But let's say you do make it through that impossible gauntlet, and are closer than ever to sharing the stage with players from prestigious clubs such as Arsenal, or Arsenal, what then?

Well, you enter into what is known as a scholarship.

Scholarship

A scholarship is basically a semi-pro contract offered by clubs, where you're paid a nominal sum, around SGD$940 a month to train under a team.

There, they will get to interact with senior players from the team they are training for.

It is here that the dream of EPL stardom is the closest for these youths.

Unfortunately, like every step of the journey, the stats aren't in their favour.

A 2010 article by The Guardian shows that of the 700 or so scholars taken in every year at 16, 60 to 65% of them are rejected by the time they're 18.

That means only 30 to 35% of the very best gets to sign a professional contract.

But see, the contract isn't the end of the journey, in fact the next 2 to 3 years are perhaps the most crucial for a young footballers' dream.

Because of those that do make it past 18, half of them will not be playing at a professional level by 21.

Which means, of the very best youth prospects in England, only 17% will still be playing professionally at 21.

Now, that's insane.

This post is written by one who dreams of getting a professional contract at Arsenal.

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Image from Man City Academy Insta