David Unsworth is keen to see Charlie Whitaker develop as a second-striker as the Everton gem looks to hone his trade in a set position after strong displays, he told Liverpool Echo.
Whitaker has enjoyed his rise through the Toffees youth ranks in a variety of positions over recent years. The midfielder has commanded the engine room, enjoyed minutes at the top of the attack, featured out on the left-wing and more recently in a shadow striker capacity.
It is the latter of the areas that Unsworth feels will allow Whitaker to showcase his abilities the most, though. Having watched the 18-year-old’s development closely, the Blues’ youth boss feels he has flourished having someone else to bounce off and connect with upfront.
Unsworth has loved working with Whitaker since the teenager first joined his U23 side last year. But an injury has kept the Everton talent out of action for much of 2022 so far, with Monday’s Premier League 2 meeting with Blackburn Rovers his first game since Christmas.
Whitaker enjoyed 70 minutes at home to the Championship side’s development team, but Everton lost 2-0. His prior 11 PL2 games had returned five goals and an assist, while hitting five in five last season. Yet his youth-level efforts have not led to his first-team debut, yet.
Carlo Ancelotti named Whitaker among his substitutes in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in the Premier League last season. Yet his appearance on the Old Trafford bench is his sole inclusion in a senior matchday side so far. It also came amid a raft of injuries for the Blues.
David Unsworth in awe of ‘sensational’ unseen Everton prospect Charlie Whitaker
Rafa Benitez admired what he saw from Whitaker during the off-season and gave the teen minutes against UNAM Pumas during Everton’s pre-season tour in Florida. But that did not carry over to any competitive action. Nor has it with Frank Lampard so far due to his injury.
Unsworth is confident Whitaker has talent that Everton can unlock over time, though. His Blackburn display was also under the eye of their new director of football, Kevin Thelwell.
“I’ve watched Charlie for a number of years,” Unsworth said, “and we always knew he had the quality in flashes. He has played out wide, he has played up-front, but we have tried to play him as a second-striker.
“Not a number 10 – a second-striker – because his game is naturally dropping into spaces where you want a number 10. We have tried to get someone up there with him and he has been sensational. He is a great trainer, great to work with and a great lad.”
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