As we're about a week away from scholarship class being announced (and i had an ungodly amount of time to kill in a waiting room today), decided to draw up my "prediction" for the upcoming class. This is all wild and rampant speculation based on some pretty small sample sizes, but what are messageboards for if not that? Seems like we will probably need another forward and goalie added on top of this list.
Tier A: an Elite prospect, premier league potential. More than likely making a meaningful contribution to the U21s by the end of the year
Tier B: a good solid player, potential may be more in line with championship/league 1 level (or a late bloomer). A regular starter in the first year of their scholarship, begins integrating with U21s in their 2nd year
Tier C: an everyday youth player. Most likely a rotational player the first year of the scholarship, a regular starter in the 2nd year. There is a player in there but potential ceiling looking more towards league 2/national league.
Tier D: there to make up the numbers. Will make some appearances but will be surprised to see them offered a professional contract.
Malik Olayiwola
Pos: MF
Tier: A
Cream of the crop from this scholar group, one of two of the Moston Tigers group still with the club. Has been called up to England U16s multiple times. Capable of playing as a forward or out wide (as I believe he usually has with England), but has been deployed mostly as a CM in his U18 team appearances. 19 appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists as a 15/16yr old on the U18s. Drives with the ball well and seems to have a bit of an edge to his game when making a tackle. Excited to see more.
Ray Robert
Pos: AM
Tier: B
Been floating around the U18s for a while, I believe he will be the oldest in the class with an Oct birthday. Scored the first ever Everton goal at the new stadium so he's already in the history books. Usually operates in the middle, and although i think he can play deeper, his goal scoring prowess would seem to lend to him playing further forward as a CAM. 5 Goals and 1 assist in 14 appearances for the U18s this year.
Harvey Billington
Pos: LB
Tier: B
Another addition to the ginger mafia. Limited appearances for the U18s but I think he stood out at the preseason tournaments. I'm not sure how much "finesse" he offers going forward, but he certainly likes getting up and down the wing, good engine and doesn't seem to shy away from getting stuck in.
Amari Moses
Pos: Winger
Tier: C
The other remaining Moston Tiger. Has mostly been deployed on the right wing. Seems to fit the speedy/tricky winger archetype, takes defenders on with some flair. 3 league appearances for the U18s with an assist.
Shea Pita
Pos: Winger
Tier: D
At this time last year I would probably said he was the prospect I was most excited about, but seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. Made some good appearances in the preseason tournaments, mostly as an inverted left winger. Good right foot, creative and inventive, and as a bonus works hard playing a 2 way game tracking back defensively. Was a regular for the Wales youth teams in the first half of the season, but silence after that. I'm assuming this may be due to some sort of injury, but missing a half a year at this age would also be a pretty big impediment to development I would imagine.
Freddie Murdock
Pos: CM
Tier: C
Made a few bench appearances for the U18s but don't believe he actually got into a game this year. A mainstay for the Northern Ireland U15s and U16s the past few years as a central midfielder. Distributes the ball well and is usually on deadball duty. Imagine he will fill the Foster shaped hole in the midfield to balance his more forward thinking colleagues.
John Dodds
Pos: CB
Tier: C
Signed from Hearts and it seemed to be a surprised to most with a knowledge of Scottish youth soccer. Has really come on in terms of development in the past few months after not being anywhere on the radar previously. Apparently very good in the air and a robust defender, believe he may be left footed?
Lewis Evans
Pos: DF
Tier: D
Seems to be on the taller end, I think normally slots in as a CB, though may have the ability to play as a more defensively oriented fullback on the right. Made an appearance at one of the new stadium test games and was a regular for the U16s in Dubai.
Adam Seve Patrick
Pos: GK
Tier: C
Not sure if he counts as a scholar. Was brought in from Oldham but no mention of the signing from the club. May be that he’s underage playing up. Looked more than competent stepping up to be the starter in Lukjanciks stead. Could also be that he's entering his second year of scholarship.
Honourable Mentions:
David Gawel - ST - Welsh/Polish forward apparently signed with Luton but was incl with travelling U16 squad in the spring
Luke Forsyth - GK - Australian, Trial at end of the season.
Calum Anderson - LB - Northern Ireland Intl was on trial during tournaments at beginning of the year, looked capable but figure we would have heard about a signing by now.
2026 Scholarship group names to get excited about/we’ll be seeing this upcoming season:
Jon Nsangou - AM - U15 playing up with the U18s this year and looking very good doing it. Praying we can hold on to him.
Jake Doughty - FW - Made some appearances for the England U15s. Left footed winger who can certainly finish.
Levi Okorie - MF/RB - Made some appearances for the England U15s.
Dafi-Tomos Pemberton - DM/CB - the forums favourite archetype, a big ginger lad who has been a regular with Wales youth teams.
Gabriel Davidson - GK - Starting Goalie for the U16s in Dubai, was picked over Eze on a few occasions.
Harlow McEverly - CB - Absolute giant of a CB
Remi Parle-Akinbiyi - Winger - seemed to be scoring a fair amount for the u16s this year.
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
