David Unsworth should consider giving some of Everton’s youngsters playing time against Atalanta.
Everton host Atalanta tonight in their penultimate Europa League group stage fixture, with the club’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition already over.
David Unsworth, who remains in temporary charge, has suggested that he will play a strong team as Everton look to secure a win that could be hugely beneficial in terms of boosting morale.
However, Unsworth could alternatively decide to give some of the club’s talented youngsters an opportunity to impress. Here are three prospects that he should consider playing:
Nikola Vlasic
Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or out wide, Vlasic has been unable to make a major impact since joining Everton in the summer transfer window and has featured for the club’s U23 side recently.
The 20-year-old is evidently still rather raw but the game against Atalanta would be an opportunity for him to demonstrate his credentials and show Unsworth that he deserves more opportunities.
Beni Baningime
The exciting midfielder was, rather unexpectedly, given a chance by Unsworth in the first team recently and he responded by producing some encouraging displays.
Baningime has since dropped back down to Everton’s U23 side and is likely to continue playing at that level for the time being but if he was to feature against Atalanta the prospect is certainly capable of impressing.
Morgan Feeney
Mason Mount of Chelsea holds off pressure from Morgan Feeney of Everton of Everton during the Premier League 2 match between Chelsea and Everton on April 21, 2017 in Aldershot, England.
An 18-year-old centre-back who has been capped by England at youth level, Feeney is an authoritative presence at the heart of the defence and is also calm on the ball.
Feeney was an unused substitute away to Lyon in Everton’s last Europa League game and will hope to be involved again tonight.
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