Everton Youth Teams Thread

[Zatara]

Yes, one that isn't 17.

In training...

That's a fair point but I think there's different and then there's different. Going from Beto and Barry to a 5ft7 18 year old just doesn't sound like something Moyes would remotely do.

I expect the different profile he's looking for is more of a hold up forward but likely still 6ft+

I dont think its worth spending money on a CF when there are clear spaces in the 11 that need filling/upgrading.

Surely better off having this kid in training and getting games for the u21s than bringing in another experienced player.

 

[Nymzee]

In training...

Moyes wants a different type of striker for actual matches Zat, that much should be obvious.

 

[oglop44]

Surely better off having this kid in training and getting games for the u21s than bringing in another experienced player.

Graham would be better off I suppose but the club is only better off assuming Beto and Barry stay fit all season. There's a reason why clubs usually carry 3 senior strikers in a squad. We even had 4 last year and still had availability issues.

 

[Zatara]

Moyes wants a different type of striker for actual matches Zat, that much should be obvious.

Its utter madness. The 2 positions we needed this window havent been touched.

Anyway, i reckon this kid should be given access to train with the 1st team.

Graham would be better off I suppose but the club is only better off assuming Beto and Barry stay fit all season. There's a reason why clubs usually carry 3 senior strikers in a squad. We even had 4 last year and still had availability issues.

Perhaps Moyes should use players in their positions.

He's barely used Alcaraz at 10 and he seems to see Chermiti at LW. Its bizarre.

I dont think we should waste money on another CF with other areas needing serious signings...i do think we should allow younger players with potential access to train at higher levels.

 

[Nymzee]

Finally caught the Solihull game back in full, some thoughts:

- Pickford: whatever, he's a keeper, all U21's are average.
- Finney: seemingly is the starting RB, best we have, strong boy, strong runner, decent quality.
- Tamen: still got the exceptional physical ability but seems like he's improved composure more which is where I had my initial doubts.
- Thomas: best CB prospect overall still for me, unsure why he was taken off.
- OSS: crap at centre half, even worse at LB. So average and yet got 90 minutes. LB is a really weak position for U21's and I'd have liked to see an incoming there until Billington gets older.
- Patterson: decent at the 6, defensively strong and passes quick, would think maybe Foster will overtake at some point but he's less defensive.
- Bates: still unsure what his position is but he's just a steady squad midfielder.
- Heath: couldn't really assess him playing centrally but he needs a loan regardless.
- Boakye: rapid, technically good, made of cheese.
- Clarke: trying way too hard to do it all on his own, I actually prefer him wide left because that restricts him from constantly trying to cut in and run into bodies, thought he immediately looked brighter when Graham came on.
- Okoronkwo: showed with his two assists he has quality, not a central player though, hopefully those assists helps him get a move.

- van Schoor: he's okay, didn't do much, but left-footed so should start for me.
- Graham: quite obviously the biggest talent we have, makes the game look easy regardless of the two goals, don't mind him out wide as he benefits from flick ons, please stay fit.
- Morgan: think he's underrated as a target man and I'd prefer him to start over Sherif and Okoronkwo. Strong, fast, decent link play.
- JCB: we know he's talented but didn't do too much in his cameo here.

Overall I think the squad still needs trimming and defining a little over the next few weeks. You can certainly see there's a divide in relationships (obviously) between U21 players and those that were together last year for the 18's - they just play a lot better together.

 

[oglop44]

Thomas: best CB prospect overall still for me, unsure why he was taken off.

IIRC Thomas, Heath and Clarke all came off together. So expect it was just managing minutes of the lads who've been training with the first team.

 

[blueloon]

In training...



I dont think its worth spending money on a CF when there are clear spaces in the 11 that need filling/upgrading.

Surely better off having this kid in training and getting games for the u21s than bringing in another experienced player.

Mate you make some valid, but random , points and then come across as someone who’s not watched Graham much. We all have different opinions, but you’ll see from comments from a number of people who’ve watched him these past 12 months that Braiden is not a No9. That’s it really. No matter if Moyes wants something different in his 9 , 17 year old Graham is not the one to provide it.

 

[Zatara]

Mate you make some valid, but random , points and then come across as someone who’s not watched Graham much. We all have different opinions, but you’ll see from comments from a number of people who’ve watched him these past 12 months that Braiden is not a No9. That’s it really. No matter if Moyes wants something different in his 9 , 17 year old Graham is not the one to provide it.

I dont think i said he was a 9?

What i wrote was that i think he should be training with the CFs in the 1st team. Also playing for the u21s in other roles.

 

[maccavennie]

Finally caught the Solihull game back in full, some thoughts:

- Pickford: whatever, he's a keeper, all U21's are average.
- Finney: seemingly is the starting RB, best we have, strong boy, strong runner, decent quality.
- Tamen: still got the exceptional physical ability but seems like he's improved composure more which is where I had my initial doubts.
- Thomas: best CB prospect overall still for me, unsure why he was taken off.
- OSS: crap at centre half, even worse at LB. So average and yet got 90 minutes. LB is a really weak position for U21's and I'd have liked to see an incoming there until Billington gets older.
- Patterson: decent at the 6, defensively strong and passes quick, would think maybe Foster will overtake at some point but he's less defensive.
- Bates: still unsure what his position is but he's just a steady squad midfielder.
- Heath: couldn't really assess him playing centrally but he needs a loan regardless.
- Boakye: rapid, technically good, made of cheese.
- Clarke: trying way too hard to do it all on his own, I actually prefer him wide left because that restricts him from constantly trying to cut in and run into bodies, thought he immediately looked brighter when Graham came on.
- Okoronkwo: showed with his two assists he has quality, not a central player though, hopefully those assists helps him get a move.

- van Schoor: he's okay, didn't do much, but left-footed so should start for me.
- Graham: quite obviously the biggest talent we have, makes the game look easy regardless of the two goals, don't mind him out wide as he benefits from flick ons, please stay fit.
- Morgan: think he's underrated as a target man and I'd prefer him to start over Sherif and Okoronkwo. Strong, fast, decent link play.
- JCB: we know he's talented but didn't do too much in his cameo here.

Overall I think the squad still needs trimming and defining a little over the next few weeks. You can certainly see there's a divide in relationships (obviously) between U21 players and those that were together last year for the 18's - they just play a lot better together.

I thought we vastly improved with the introduction of Morgan, good touch and awareness of what was around him

 

[RichCee123]

He can play either in the u21s but I'd have assumed in 1st team training he'd be better off with the forwards?



The rumour is Moyes wants a CF with a different profile.

Maupay type?

 

[Toffeebraeden]

I know we’re all excited about Graham, but need to remember he really only has a half year of U18 and U21 football each under his belt. I don’t see the need to rush him into the line up, similar to how we’re treating Armstrong. The jump in physicality is going to be huge and he’s far from a strong/large lad.
If he spends most of the year with the U21s, and maybe starts training with the first team, or even better, getting some bench/cameo appearances against L1/L2 opponents in the cups towards the second half of the year, I’d consider that to be a success.
Gives him a little bit of seasoning and confidence with a chance to make the squad outright out of camp next year.

 

[Toffeebraeden]

And it sounds like Gokah has been confirmed this morning.

 

[stretford blue]

And it sounds like Gokah has been confirmed this morning.

 

[blueloon]

IIRC Thomas, Heath and Clarke all came off together. So expect it was just managing minutes of the lads who've been training with the first team.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Thomas travels with the first team on Monday purely as a precaution in case a defender gets injured in warm up. I have little expectation of him making the squad, but he’s could cover both LB and LCB. I’d prefer to see him continue his pairing with Tamen though and play u21s Monday night .

 

[oglop44]

Looks like Francis Gomez in the background here which would explain why he didn't play the Solihull Moors game.

Source: https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/august/14/gallery--grealish-trains-as-blues-prepare-for-leeds/