‘He was great’: Everton coach shares why staff have ‘nothing but praise’ for teen talent

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David Unsworth has told EvertonFC.com that Everton’s medical department had ‘nothing but praise’ for Tyler Onyango while the young midfielder recovered from a serious injury.

Onyango made his return to Under-23s football against Leeds United on Monday after six-months on the sidelines. The 18-year-old damaged his ankle during a FA Youth Cup tie at Manchester City in April, while making his 19th appearance of the junior campaign.

The blow denied Onyango chances to further his first-team standing at Everton after Carlo Ancelotti awarded the teenager his debut. He featured as a late substitute in January’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, and made eight Premier League matchday squads.

Rafa Benitez is yet to include Onyango in any Everton squads, but the midfielder impressed Unsworth on his U23s return. He played 80-minutes as the Toffees’ development side came from two-goals behind to beat Leeds 4-2. Ending a three-game losing streak for the Blues.

“He was great, he played really well,” Unsworth enthused. “He’s been training for a couple of weeks, and he got some minutes in a bounce game during the international break.

“Anything past 60-minutes tonight was a bonus, so to get 80-minutes from him is terrific and I’m so glad to see him back. The physios have had nothing but praise for him for his work ethic, and he’s a great guy.”

Onyango to kickstart senior Everton hopes after Unsworth-praised U23s return?

Onyango will hope minutes in the U23s and earning Unsworth’s praise helps to kickstart his first-team desires at Everton now. He entered the fringes of the senior fold under Ancelotti last term, but injury denied him opportunities toward the end.

The blow also kept the Luton-born midfielder from forcing his way into Benitez’s plans over the opening months this season. Onyango may have featured in Everton’s Carabao Cup ties with Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers if he was available.

But the Blues’ defeat on penalties at QPR could restrict the 18-year-old’s chances of first-team minutes any time soon. Instead, Onyango may have to wait until Everton enter the FA Cup to cement a role under Benitez, so long as he continues to impress under Unsworth.