Everton coach David Unsworth has talked up the abilities of new boy Imam Jagne in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.
The Toffees’ U23s manager has been working with the midfielder for the past month after his arrival from Swedish outfit BK Hacken. And it’s fair to say he’s been impressed.
“He’s going to be a great athlete,” Unsworth told the Echo. “He can handle the ball. He’s a great presser of the ball.
“I’d say when he develops and matures he will be more of a box-to-box midfielder. He’s got great energy and you don’t want to bog him down in a holding midfield role.
Unsworth pointed out how versatile Jagne is, claiming the 17-year-old could play anywhere in the midfield.
“I think he can play in all of the midfield roles centrally. In a two, he can hold, and he can play wide of the three. There’s loads of development in there and he’s certainly one for the future.”
Asked what Unsworth knew about Jagne before he joined Everton, he said: “I’d seen enough to form an opinion of him but obviously the recruitment department (did) the bulk of the work. He’s a great guy.
“He’s a great learner. He’s very coachable and I’m looking forward to working with him for the next couple of years.”
Jagne may not have registered on many Everton fans’ radar yet but it seems he could be a future star at Goodison Park.
The Swede may struggle to break into the first team any time soon after a huge influx of midfield signings this summer, but at just 17 he has a number of years ahead of him.
If he continues in the same fashion he may catch Carlo Ancelotti’s eye sooner rather than later. And Unsworth believes he could be a real asset.
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