Everton Youth Teams Thread

[EFC_FRANCIS]

I think what this transfer window has shown is how crucial the academy will be moving forwards. There's laughably been calls to close it down but it made us 60 million in 2023. Chelsea got 60 million for 2 left backs that played about 5 combined games for them whilst we had to sell them one that is arguably better (when at same age) for 5 million for the sins of the first team and ownership.

Bang average players now cost 15 - 20 million, it will be much cheaper to invest in the academy for the same results. Of course this comes at a time where we have decimated our youth ranks and have almost no one at 21s or 18s left so the next scholar group will be crucial. It will also be good to rebuild our reputation after losing our best 17 year olds every year and never giving any youth a chance.

 

[catcherintherye]

Yeah the Rodwell thing of being massive to his peers will have helped him stand out but he does have a great engine and ability to cover ground when most kids are shattered by the 60th minute. Those types of players are useful in squads like Longstaff or Davies. He needs to develop on the ball but is really in risk of playing less than 1000 mins again this season as he will be 6th choice in the first team and also kept out the 21s squad because he's now a first teamer.

I'm still a Dobbin believer and think he's only 2 or 3 things added to his game away from being a useful member of the squad or being worth 20 million. He's still got time to come good but he isn't where I thought he'd be at this point from seeing him in the younger England squads.

Can we honestly say though Dobbin hasnt improved from 18? I'd say he has improved. He may not have improved enough, but that's a different question.

Agree re Welch and Onyango.

 

[Zatara]

"Not found".

International break news. Doug Lukjanciks has been named in the England U17 squad for a tournament in Spain . Branthwaite in the U21 squad .I think they’re the only two England players, but there may be some others with other countries , like Apter Scotland, Morgan for Cymru.

Lukjanciks has a lot of promise according to @boris . Actually a perfect age to come through behind Pickford in time.

 

[catcherintherye]

I think what this transfer window has shown is how crucial the academy will be moving forwards. There's laughably been calls to close it down but it made us 60 million in 2023. Chelsea got 60 million for 2 left backs that played about 5 combined games for them whilst we had to sell them one that is arguably better (when at same age) for 5 million for the sins of the first team and ownership.

Bang average players now cost 15 - 20 million, it will be much cheaper to invest in the academy for the same results. Of course this comes at a time where we have decimated our youth ranks and have almost no one at 21s or 18s left so the next scholar group will be crucial. It will also be good to rebuild our reputation after losing our best 17 year olds every year and never giving any youth a chance.

I mean a cavaet here, that in a recent mini derby we had like 7 or 8 under 18s playing to Liverpools 0.

The likes of Sheriff up top, Samuel Smith, Bates, Patterson etc have ability, as does Okoronko. And in reality they are going to be getting a lot more exposure now we seem to be selling/loaning younger players more.

It's a more brutal pathway, and some will sink rather than swim, but honestly irs probably the best way to run things.

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

Can we honestly say though Dobbin hasnt improved from 18? I'd say he has improved. He may not have improved enough, but that's a different question.

Agree re Welch and Onyango.

I can say that ye. He obviously has improved in that every footballer improves as they get older but he has the exact same holes in his game as he did when he was 18 which is what I mean when I say he hasn't improved. His ball striking, composure, physicallity and change of pace are still the same weaknesses

I mean a cavaet here, that in a recent mini derby we had like 7 or 8 under 18s playing to Liverpools 0.

The likes of Sheriff up top, Samuel Smith, Bates, Patterson etc have ability, as does Okoronko. And in reality they are going to be getting a lot more exposure now we seem to be selling/loaning younger players more.

It's a more brutal pathway, and some will sink rather than swim, but honestly irs probably the best way to run things.

I'm not sure getting beat every week is what's best for development myself. Odin Samuels Smith and Bates have shown nothing for me to get excited about. Is it really good for the 21s to get whacked every week and barely touch the ball for the sake of U18s who also haven't shown much getting mins? What good is a ball playing holding mid Jack Patterson playing, or Sherif playing up top not getting a touch if it's in a 4-0 loss with 40% possesion.

 

[catcherintherye]

I can say that ye. He obviously has improved in that every footballer improves as they get older but he has the exact same holes in his game as he did when he was 18 which is what I mean when I say he hasn't improved. His ball striking, composure, physicallity and change of pace are still the same weaknesses

I'm not sure getting beat every week is what's best for development myself. Odin Samuels Smith and Bates have shown nothing for me to get excited about. Is it really good for the 21s to get whacked every week and barely touch the ball for the sake of U18s who also haven't shown much getting mins? What good is a ball playing holding mid Jack Patterson playing, or Sherif playing up top not getting a touch if it's in a 4-0 loss with 40% possesion.

I dont think results matter much.

Let's be real here, we do not have the budget of City, Chelsea or Liverpool. We cannot have progression, players being sold and a team winning games. We have to prioritise.

Winning games and titles, bit not progressing players is illogical for us.

As for the specifics, 17 year olds playing against 19, 20 and even 21 year olds will help their development. They will be forced to improve.

 

[Ring master]

Everton u18s v Man City u18s in the 1st Premier League Cup Match - ko 11.30am

Lukjanciks, Thomas, Odin Samuels-Smith, Finney, Van Schoor, Patterson, Apter, Bates, Beaumont-Clark, Armstrong, Sherif
Subs Pickford, Stanley, Foster, Morgn, Catesby

 

[mightymoyes]

I mean a cavaet here, that in a recent mini derby we had like 7 or 8 under 18s playing to Liverpools 0.

The likes of Sheriff up top, Samuel Smith, Bates, Patterson etc have ability, as does Okoronko. And in reality they are going to be getting a lot more exposure now we seem to be selling/loaning younger players more.

It's a more brutal pathway, and some will sink rather than swim, but honestly irs probably the best way to run things.

It was more like 3 or 4

 

[Ring master]

Everton u18s v Man City u18s in the 1st Premier League Cup Match - ko 11.30am

Lukjanciks, Thomas, Odin Samuels-Smith, Finney, Van Schoor, Patterson, Apter, Bates, Beaumont-Clark, Armstrong, Sherif
Subs Pickford, Stanley, Foster, Morgn, Catesby

Everton 1-0 behind on 9mins

 

[Ring master]

Half Time - Premier League Cup
Everton u18s 0 Man City u18s 1

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

I dont think results matter much.

Let's be real here, we do not have the budget of City, Chelsea or Liverpool. We cannot have progression, players being sold and a team winning games. We have to prioritise.

Winning games and titles, bit not progressing players is illogical for us.

As for the specifics, 17 year olds playing against 19, 20 and even 21 year olds will help their development. They will be forced to improve.

Feel like you've missed the point if you think I'm saying we should just field a team of 25 year olds to win the title

 

[Ring master]

Half Time - Premier League Cup
Everton u18s 0 Man City u18s 1

1-1 on 64 - Sherif Pen

 

[Ring master]

1-1 on 64 - Sherif Pen

2-1 City on 79

 

[Ring master]

Final Score
Everton u18s 1 Man City u18s 2

 

[blueloon]

There are some interesting comments from Dyche as to why our first team bench was light on Saturday.

”Dyche said he and those around him made the decision last week to make some of the older academy players available for their own age group so that they could continue their development. With the U21s playing away at West Ham United, this meant the likes of Jenson Metcalf and Mackenzie Hunt were unavailable for the Sheffield United bench, as were Francis Okoronkwo and Katia Kouyate - who both impressed for the first team during the summer training camp in France. Even then the U21s, who lost 3-1, only named three outfield substitutes.
” But he explained that, at Bramall Lane on Saturday, he was reluctant to do this because the reliance upon the Under-21s to fulfil first team squad and training duties was having an impact on their own development.“

The mess we‘re in affects the club at all levels .