Everton Youth Teams Thread

Eggs said:
....I picked Williams out 18months ago after seeing him really combative up against Anderson when the kids played Manchester United. He has something about him. Ledson has more obvious quality and pedigree. He was a real leader on the pitch when Young England won the Euro's and he was a stand out in the big U21 games last season. His display against the Reds was outstanding in all aspects of the game. He certainly didn't play within himself that day.
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Of all 3 of the players I was being cautious of (Charsley, Grant, Williams) Williams is the one I am most harsh on. As a younger player he was very highly thought of. If he were coming through say 5-10 years ago he'd have rightly been heralded as the best prospect we have in that youth team. However as someone above has said we have so many good midfielders coming through that he is running the risk of being overtaken by those younger than him.
 

I was told that the club pretty much stalked Dowell during his final year at school.
They took picked him up and got him to training most days; he was able to sit his exams at seperate times as he had fixtures/training for the club. Everton gave his school brand new set of laptop's and PC's to 'smooth' any difficulties. He was able to miss the odd lesson; Everton threw money at the school big time. Paid for teachers to go in at the weekend and help him revise/watch over his exam.

They have sorted his parents out as well big time.

I suspect they have huge hopes for the boy.
 
jinkyali said:
I was told that the club pretty much stalked Dowell during his final year at school.
They took picked him up and got him to training most days; he was able to sit his exams at seperate times as he had fixtures/training for the club. Everton gave his school brand new set of laptop's and PC's to 'smooth' any difficulties. He was able to miss the odd lesson; Everton threw money at the school big time. Paid for teachers to go in at the weekend and help him revise/watch over his exam.

They have sorted his parents out as well big time.

I suspect they have huge hopes for the boy.
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Tim Cahill picked Dowell out his one to watch a few years ago. Given he is only 17 now he can only have been about 14 when Cahill said that.
 

II McColl II said:
Couldn't be more different imo.

Barkley was more comparable to Rooney in that he was close to unstoppable when he got in to full speed running at defenders, Dowell is far more technical and in the least offensive way he is thinking the game through before it happens unlike Barkley who tends to get into a situation then need to think about whats next.

Barkley was and always will be best when head down and driving forward, Dowell from what we have seen so far will always be best when hes given the ball and allowed to commit defenders and spot a pass
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This is a good assessment. In fairness to the original poster I think they were comparing the freedom they played with, exuberance and confidence of youth.

Barkley as a lad was an absolute powerhouse. He physically dominated games and was central in them, particularly at youth level. They say he played in almost every position, you could well imagine that.

Dowell on the other hand is very different. He would struggle in defence, or even in positions where his physicality would be required. Often when he was a bit younger he would flatter to deceive a little bit. When I first saw games with him in, I did wonder what the fuss was about a bit (when he was a 15-16 year old). However when you watched him more closely you began to notice the skills he has and his general presence has improved massively as he has gotten older.

By comparison to Barkley Dowell still floats around the edge of games. Barkley's best position is being in a game where he can take it by the scruff of the neck. Dowell's strength is finding space in areas of the pitch that are congested. He is a natural number 10 which is quite rare to see for one so young. He finds very good spaces. He also reminds me of Ozil in the way he glides with the ball at his feet, running with his head up. He doesn't accelerate past players but ghosts past them. He also "has a picture" in his head before the ball arrives and is very good at playing one touch football.
It looks like he's began to physically mature a bit too and cope with the physical demands better. His performance last night was very accomplished.
 
jackyboy said:
Who was the young midfielder we had who we let go to Norwich a few years ago?
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Sam Kelly? Released by them at the end of last season and apparently at Port Vale now.

Edit: Maybe not, since he went to Cambridge in between. Like you I think there was a youngster we pinched from Norwich and then let him go back there after a time.
 
catcherintherye said:
This is a good assessment. In fairness to the original poster I think they were comparing the freedom they played with, exuberance and confidence of youth.

Barkley as a lad was an absolute powerhouse. He physically dominated games and was central in them, particularly at youth level. They say he played in almost every position, you could well imagine that.

Dowell on the other hand is very different. He would struggle in defence, or even in positions where his physicality would be required. Often when he was a bit younger he would flatter to deceive a little bit. When I first saw games with him in, I did wonder what the fuss was about a bit (when he was a 15-16 year old). However when you watched him more closely you began to notice the skills he has and his general presence has improved massively as he has gotten older.

By comparison to Barkley Dowell still floats around the edge of games. Barkley's best position is being in a game where he can take it by the scruff of the neck. Dowell's strength is finding space in areas of the pitch that are congested. He is a natural number 10 which is quite rare to see for one so young. He finds very good spaces. He also reminds me of Ozil in the way he glides with the ball at his feet, running with his head up. He doesn't accelerate past players but ghosts past them. He also "has a picture" in his head before the ball arrives and is very good at playing one touch football.
It looks like he's began to physically mature a bit too and cope with the physical demands better. His performance last night was very accomplished.
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This was pretty noticeable to me. Every touch he made was purposeful, and gave him an extra yard or second of space which allowed him to do what he wanted with the ball.
The best players play like this, and Dowell certainly showcased why the club rates him so highly.
 

Kiwi said:
This was pretty noticeable to me. Every touch he made was purposeful, and gave him an extra yard or second of space which allowed him to do what he wanted with the ball.
The best players play like this, and Dowell certainly showcased why the club rates him so highly.
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Yes absolutely. You have to watch Dowell closely to see his ability really, that was my overarching point. He isn't lightning quick, two footed, doesn't throw himself into tackles or have a fantastic physique. He does have a remarkable sense of special awareness though for someone of his age. Often he only need one touch where senior pro's would need 3-4. His pass to Cleverly was a good example of this, it was the perfect pass, in terms of weight and the vision to see it.

He reminds me very much of Ozil. Ozil has been massively criticised by people in this country, yet he remains a regular for the best international side in the world. His skill is helping other players look better. He takes the ball in congested areas, plays with his head up, and makes opportunities for others. This is how a young Wiltshire played as well. If Peinaar remains injured I would expect to see more of Dowell this season, as unless we go and buy a creative player (a "number 10") as it were he will be as good an option as any we have.

Barkley is very different to this, and always was. You couldn't fail to be impressed with Barkley as a young player. Who stood out with his imposing physique. However for all of his strengths he lacks the key skills you mention above that Dowell has and is unlikely to ever develop them. The speed of thought, special awareness, vision and short passing ability in the final third are not his strength, but they are Dowells. Barkley will never be a natural number 10, whereas Dowell is a classic number 10.
 
catcherintherye said:
Yes absolutely. You have to watch Dowell closely to see his ability really, that was my overarching point. He isn't lightning quick, two footed, doesn't throw himself into tackles or have a fantastic physique. He does have a remarkable sense of special awareness though for someone of his age. Often he only need one touch where senior pro's would need 3-4. His pass to Cleverly was a good example of this, it was the perfect pass, in terms of weight and the vision to see it.

He reminds me very much of Ozil. Ozil has been massively criticised by people in this country, yet he remains a regular for the best international side in the world. His skill is helping other players look better. He takes the ball in congested areas, plays with his head up, and makes opportunities for others. This is how a young Wiltshire played as well. If Peinaar remains injured I would expect to see more of Dowell this season, as unless we go and buy a creative player (a "number 10") as it were he will be as good an option as any we have.

Barkley is very different to this, and always was. You couldn't fail to be impressed with Barkley as a young player. Who stood out with his imposing physique. However for all of his strengths he lacks the key skills you mention above that Dowell has and is unlikely to ever develop them. The speed of thought, special awareness, vision and short passing ability in the final third are not his strength, but they are Dowells. Barkley will never be a natural number 10, whereas Dowell is a classic number 10.
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Think you're probably right in this regard, aside from the vision. I thought Ross showed his vision vs Dundee, played some lovely passes, albeit not necessarily the little dinks playmakers use to put players in on goal in and around the box. It's something he's always had, but is something his propensity to overplay and run with the ball often overshadows.
 
catcherintherye said:
Yes absolutely. You have to watch Dowell closely to see his ability really, that was my overarching point. He isn't lightning quick, two footed, doesn't throw himself into tackles or have a fantastic physique. He does have a remarkable sense of special awareness though for someone of his age. Often he only need one touch where senior pro's would need 3-4. His pass to Cleverly was a good example of this, it was the perfect pass, in terms of weight and the vision to see it.

He reminds me very much of Ozil. Ozil has been massively criticised by people in this country, yet he remains a regular for the best international side in the world. His skill is helping other players look better. He takes the ball in congested areas, plays with his head up, and makes opportunities for others. This is how a young Wiltshire played as well. If Peinaar remains injured I would expect to see more of Dowell this season, as unless we go and buy a creative player (a "number 10") as it were he will be as good an option as any we have.

Barkley is very different to this, and always was. You couldn't fail to be impressed with Barkley as a young player. Who stood out with his imposing physique. However for all of his strengths he lacks the key skills you mention above that Dowell has and is unlikely to ever develop them. The speed of thought, special awareness, vision and short passing ability in the final third are not his strength, but they are Dowells. Barkley will never be a natural number 10, whereas Dowell is a classic number 10.
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dowell is quite tall so if he fills out as you'd expect over the next 2-3 yrs he could be quite an imposing presence too.
 
Dowell actually surprised me strength-wise last night. He's very slight but with his height he actually shrugged off a few challenges last night I didn't think he would. You can imagine when he's stopped growing and filled out a little that he'd be the perfect number 10 with him being tall as well as agile.

Definitely agree with the Ozil comparisons though. Let's hope he turns up even half as talented as him! Personally if he can play anywhere near like he did last night in the PL then I'd be fully supportive of him being used in the Number 10 role this year.
 
Kiwi said:
Think you're probably right in this regard, aside from the vision. I thought Ross showed his vision vs Dundee, played some lovely passes, albeit not necessarily the little dinks playmakers use to put players in on goal in and around the box. It's something he's always had, but is something his propensity to overplay and run with the ball often overshadows.
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Yes I think that's fair. Barkley has an excellent long passing range and can dictate play from deep. I suppose what I mean by vision there though, is in the final third the ability to slip balls through players, like Dowell did for Cleverley yesterday. Barkley isn't as strong as that as Dowell.

This isn't to attack Barkley either, he has a variety of attributes Dowell doesn't have so it's a nice balance.
 

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