After an impressive cameo, the 18-year-old could is not too far away from starting in the Premier League.
Though he would be unwilling to admit it, Ronald Koeman’s record at giving chances to young players is not quite as impressive as you’d imagine.
Despite Southampton’s famously prosperous academy system, only two homegrown players were given their full debuts during the Dutchman’s two-year reign at St Mary’s. Koeman even went as far as to publically criticise the talents, or lack of, within the club’s ranks in January, per the Daily Mail.
Therefore, Everton fans could be forgiven for expressing their concern when talented left-back Brendan Galloway was farmed out to West Brom on loan while Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin found first-team opportunities notably difficult to come by.
However, his effusive praise of ‘big talent’ Tom Davies after The Toffees’ impressive 2-0 win at Leicester City on Boxing Day suggested that the young midfielder could break the mould and force the Dutchman’s hand, per the Liverpool Echo.
The 18-year-old came off the bench to shore up the midfield for the final half hour at the King Power, doing enough to encourage a number of Everton supporters to call for more regular appearances for one of the club’s most exciting talents in recent seasons.
And, sooner rather than later, they could get their wish. According to The Chronicle, Koeman is ready to sanction the exit of Tom Cleverley in January, with Newcastle United making contact about the potential signing of a player who has featured just ten times in the Premier League this season.
Therefore, despite the BBC claiming Everton are on the verge of handing Morgan Schneiderlin a £20 million escape route from Manchester United, Davies’ prospects of a regular first-team berth have increased hugely in the last week.
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