The Toffees have a history of giving their brightest prospects an opportunity and these prodigious talents could be the next in line.
Wayne Rooney. Jack Rodwell. Dan Gosling. Tom Davies could be next in that list if encouraging comments appearing on the Everton website are anything to go by.
With Everton’s senior squad ailing in the Premier League at the moment, the fans can at least take some positivies in knowing that their next generation is shaping up rather well.
The Toffees’ youngsters are currently top of the Premier League 2 table, leading the way ahead of the renowned academies of Manchester City and Liverpool, while going strong in the domestic cup competitions too.
Much of the focus has surrounded the presence of exiled striker Oumar Niasse in Everton academy team this season but, to the more watchful eye, the club’s next generation is starting to find its feet under the guidance of former Toffees stalwart and current under-23 coach David Unsworth.
After sweeping aside Portsmouth 3-1 in the Premier League Cup, the 43-year-old was only too obliging to laud the performance of three of the club’s most exciting young talents after sweeping aside Pompey.
“I thought Kieran Dowell was back to his best in the number 10 role. I’m delighted for him because he’s stuck in there and some of his play was superb,” Unsworth told the club’s official website.
“Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] was a real threat as well and I thought Tom Davies was the best player on the pitch tonight. He was outstanding.”
Of the aforementioned trio, it appears that Davies has the best chance of making an immediate step up from the academy to the first-team under Ronald Koeman.
The academy captain inked a new five year deal at the club in August and has made three Premier League appearances under the former Southampton midfielder this season, with his composure in possession and tactical awareness making him a potential long-term successor to Gareth Barry at the heart of Everton’s midfield.
Former Sheffield United starlet Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, credited The Toffees reputation for giving youth players a chance for his decision to sign up at Goodison Park despite reported interest from Manchester United.
The 19-year-old made the senior squad for the first time against West Ham in October after scoring for fun in the youth ranks and displaying his prodigious potential with a sublime volley against Manchester City.
With Romelu Lukaku contributing almost half of Everton’s league goals this season, Calvert-Lewin may find himself tasked with taking some of the pressure off the Belgian’s burly shoulders.
And 19-year-old Dowell appears every inch a player perfect for Koeman’s system; creative, versatile and possessing the all-too-rare goalscorers instinct from midfield.
Like Davies, the England Under-20 international signed a new deal in the summer, meaning Everton’s future is in good hands.
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