Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies, Jonjoe Kenny and Ademola Lookman all started in England’s win over Ukraine.
Everton can take great pride from England under-21s’ victory over their Ukrainian counterparts last night, with four young Toffees taking centre-stage in the starting line-up.
An Evertonian quartet of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jonoe Kenny, Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman were all named in Aidy Boothroyd’s starting line-up, with the former netting his side’s first with an excellent finish, helping the team to a 2-1 win.
Everton could have had another player in the starting XI should Mason Holgate have been fit. However, the 21-year-old was forced to withdraw from the squad earlier this month due to injury.
With such a strong contingent of English youngsters performing as such a high level, the future definitely looks bright for Everton, and between the five youngsters they have already picked up 150 appearances in England’s top flight, not bad for a group of players ranging between 19 and 21.
The key for Everton boss Sam Allardyce will be keeping them all at the club long term, as teams from higher up the table and further afield inevitably come calling.
Should the Toffees retain their young England contingent at Goodison Park, however, they could be a real force in the not too distant future.
The five players mentioned, along with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, forms formidable spine right down the centre of the pitch: Pickford in goal, Holgate in the centre of defence, Davies in central midfield and Calvert-Lewin in a central attacking role.
Maintaining the spine of the team is easier said than done, and even the sale of one player can be enough to disrupt a well oiled machine. But with a bit of luck, Everton may have stumbled on the foundations of a new look side for their next decade or so.
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