David Unsworth has told the Liverpool Echo it takes a ‘very, very strong’ manager to put their faith in young players in a first-team fold and Everton have just that in Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees’ Academy Director and Under-23s manager praises Benitez for the faith he has shown in the club’s emerging talents. Lewis Dobbin, Harry Tyrer and Charlie Whitaker are among the youngsters to spend time with the senior squad at Goodison Park this season.
Dobbin had only established his presence in Everton’s U23s this season before Benitez gave the 18-year-old his first-team debut. The Stoke-born winger has featured from the bench late on against Norwich City and Manchester United during Premier League fixtures.
Whitaker, 18, is yet to feature for the senior squad at Goodison, but made Everton’s squad at Manchester United. Tyrer, 19, is also waiting for his first-team bow after eight inclusions in matchday squads, seven of which came under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
Everton enjoy U23s shift under Unsworth
Unsworth added that Everton have enjoyed a tactical shift in the U23s this season as they introduce a younger crop. With the Blues coach in full agreement with Director of Football Marcel Brands and Professional Development Coach Leighton Baines it’s the right direction.
He said: “We as a staff, as an academy, Marcel Brands, Leighton Baines, we believe in this group of players. We think a lot of them. We deliberately went young this year to give these players an opportunity to try and climb that ladder.
“Rafa has been brilliant with us. He’s already afforded a debut to Lewis, he’s got Charlie on the bench, he’s got Harry on the bench. It takes a very, very strong and good manager to have that faith in young players.”
Should Benitez give more U23s talents a chance at Goodison?
While Unsworth praises Benitez for the faith he has shown in Everton’s academy talents, minutes remain few and far between. Dobbin has only featured as a last-minute substitute for his two appearances and is the only teenager to turn out in the Premier League so far.
Chances to feature are also now harder to secure after the Blues exited the Carabao Cup on penalties at QPR. But even against the Championship side, Jarrad Branthwaite, 19, was the only teenager Benitez took with him to west London. He also spent the tie on the bench.
Although Anthony Gordon, 20, did open the action at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and Manchester United in the league. So, while Unsworth praises Benitez for his faith in youngsters, regular Everton opportunities beyond training remain mostly hard to secure.
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