Have Everton’s academy ambitions been undermined by Nathan Holland’s West Ham move?

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Everton have big aims for their academy side – but let Nathan Holland go to West Ham.

Everton’s recruitment this summer has come under severe scrutiny after The Toffees spent over £140 million this summer to find themselves just a few points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Though at least the reserves provide plenty of reason for optimism. David Unsworth’s Under-23s stormed to the Premier League 2 title last season while Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny have now established themselves in the first-team.

And while Everton paid big fees for established stars in the summer, director of football Steve Walsh was also tasked with bringing some of England’s most exciting youngsters to Goodison Park.

Though the likes of Dominic Brooks and Tosin Adarabioyo proved out of their reach, the likes of Lewis Gibson and Josh Bowler from Newcastle and QPR respectively should provide plenty of excitement in the future.

With Everton intent on putting together a fearsome academy side, then, you’ve got to wonder why they did not do more to keep Nathan Holland at Goodison Park. The teenage attacker signed professional terms in January 2016 but, a year later, was on his way to West Ham on a long-term deal.

Since then, the 19-year-old has been earning rave reviews in the capital, scoring three times in seven Premier League 2 games while also making his senior bow against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup in September.

“Nathan Holland; what a signing that looks to be,” West Ham academy coach Terry Westley said back in February, summing up an inspired deal quite nicely.

“With the ball (he) was so exciting. He went past people, made chances,” Westley added earlier this season with Holland in fine form.

“I looked at the end, when he picked the ball up, and the face of the full-back said, ‘Please don’t run at me again’.”

Everton may have one of England’s most ambitious reserve sides but have they sold one of their crown jewels?