Sheffield United midifelder and Everton target David Brooks is in esteemed company after winning the Player of the Tournement award this summer.
What do Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Mascherano and James Rodriguez (above) all have in common? Well, despite being some of the most talented footballers of their generation, they were all named Player of the Competition at the prestigious Toulon Tournament.
With Sheffield United youngster David Brooks following in the footsteps of this esteemed quintet, its little wonder so many of England’s biggest clubs are watching him closely.
According to the Sunday People, Liverpool have joined Merseyside rivals Everton in the race for a player Manchester City lost to Sheffield United back in 2014.
The 20-year-old has shot to fame in recent months, winning the Man of the Match award in last week’s Steel City derby victory over Wednesday, and was even called up for Chris Coleman’s Wales side after switching his international allegiance.
Yet, while England chiefs will be disappointed to lose out on a young player as talented as Brooks, his contribution as the Young Lions lifted the Toulon Tournament for the second year in succession should not be forgotten.
Brooks even scored the opener in the final against the Ivory Coast, before Neil Dewsnip’s side secured victory via a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
If Everton want to add Brooks to their increasingly impressive raft of talented youngsters, they will need to act fast with Liverpool already said to be on the trail. The Toffees have been extremely aggressive in their pursuit of some of England’s brightest talents, paying substantial sums for the likes of Josh Bowler and Lewis Gibson from QPR and Newcastle respectively.
If Brooks can be half as good as Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Mascherano or James Rodriguez, he will be a fine investment for The Toffees.
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