Everton Youth Teams Thread

Out of last nights starting XI I can honestly see 5 coming through eventually in Feeney, Gibson, Baningime, Adeniran & Evans.
Potentially more too mate which is fantastic for the club, when Joe Williams was in the squad a few times last season it was totally unexpected, who knows whether any of the other lads are in Koeman's thoughts; Harry Charsley, David Henen and Beni Baningime seem to be very good prospects and highly thought of too ;) Only problem is whether or not they can compete for a place in the first team squad. Always boss to hear that the u23's doing well...
 

Out of last nights starting XI I can honestly see 5 coming through eventually in Feeney, Gibson, Baningime, Adeniran & Evans.

..wow, that is some statement if you mean 'come through' in the top flight at Everton. I think defensive types have a greater chance because of the skill set, so the odds would be against Evans but I'm a fan of all the players you highlight. I think the ones that money has been spent on (Adeniran and Gibson) are more likely to get a chance.

I mentioned Feeney as a possible last week, primarily because we are thin on the ground for CBs and he must have something about him if he's captaining the team at such a tender age. I first saw Beningame in the Dallas Cup winning side a few years ago. They got beat in the first group game but he was outstanding. It's a massive step up and his main problem might be what he does when he's in possession of the football as he does give it away lots. I think they'll be working him in possession sessions.
 
Potentially more too mate which is fantastic for the club, when Joe Williams was in the squad a few times last season it was totally unexpected, who knows whether any of the other lads are in Koeman's thoughts; Harry Charsley, David Henen and Beni Baningime seem to be very good prospects and highly thought of too ;) Only problem is whether or not they can compete for a place in the first team squad. Always boss to hear that the u23's doing well...

Yeh was just speaking on last nights lineup. Can't see Charlsey ever playing for Everton first team myself, probably not Henen either.
 
..wow, that is some statement if you mean 'come through' in the top flight at Everton. I think defensive types have a greater chance because of the skill set, so the odds would be against Evans but I'm a fan of all the players you highlight. I think the ones that money has been spent on (Adeniran and Gibson) are more likely to get a chance.

I mentioned Feeney as a possible last week, primarily because we are thin on the ground for CBs and he must have something about him if he's captaining the team at such a tender age. I first saw Beningame in the Dallas Cup winning side a few years ago. They got beat in the first group game but he was outstanding. It's a massive step up and his main problem might be what he does when he's in possession of the football as he does give it away lots. I think they'll be working him in possession sessions.

Big statement but hopefully one that is proven correct. That's just from the starting XI by the way... more on top of that.

I think Gibson and Adeniran are shoe ins myself, Feeney has what it takes if he can bulk out, if he goes the Galloway/Holgate path of strength training then no. Evans looks like he's just starting to get to grips with his growth spurt like Dowell. I expect him to fill out now and he's one I fully expect to make an appearance or two; maybe even as a striker.
 

Big statement but hopefully one that is proven correct. That's just from the starting XI by the way... more on top of that.

I think Gibson and Adeniran are shoe ins myself, Feeney has what it takes if he can bulk out, if he goes the Galloway/Holgate path of strength training then no. Evans looks like he's just starting to get to grips with his growth spurt like Dowell. I expect him to fill out now and he's one I fully expect to make an appearance or two; maybe even as a striker.

..I see the U17 World Cup is about to start and Gibson is involved. I'm not sure if he'll progress as a LB or CB, he looks very solid for such a young age. The problem with age limit football is that the other youngsters often catch up physically by the time they are ready for open age competition. I look forward to watching Gibson in this World Cup.
 
If there's one thing I've tried to learn, it's not to make judgements on players long term futures too soon. Unless you are Rooney, at 16 everything is a projection and a prayer. 18,19,20, the odds go up a bit, but even then a guy like Osman who ended up playing his entire career here (loan spell aside) didn't break through until he was 23 or so. Hell Baines was released for being too small, and came back worth millions. While I'd like to see as many take the Tom Davies route to Everton, I'm not opposed to lads going off to make their careers, and then hopefully when and if they are ready to play at this level, it's a natural fit to buy them back.
 
Big statement but hopefully one that is proven correct. That's just from the starting XI by the way... more on top of that.

I think Gibson and Adeniran are shoe ins myself, Feeney has what it takes if he can bulk out, if he goes the Galloway/Holgate path of strength training then no. Evans looks like he's just starting to get to grips with his growth spurt like Dowell. I expect him to fill out now and he's one I fully expect to make an appearance or two; maybe even as a striker.
It's amazing the potential of this team and how exciting they are when personally I would have settled for a steady season getting to grips with all the changes . It's hard to disagree that the ones you picked out , Feeney, Gibson, Baningime, Adeniran & Evans, seem to be the ones in the starting line up with most potential, and they were the five youngest outfield players too , 17 , 18 , 19 year olds.
The harsh reality check is just how difficult it is to bring through players from the Academy, to U23s to first team. For all our Golden Generation statement of two years ago when Holgate joined , only Davies of our then Academy has started a PL game this season. Hopefully more will start a PL game, including Kenny soon, and my comment is really just to highlight how hard it is, and that's the reality. You can make comparisons in some cases ,e.g. Is Gibson as good as Galloway at the same age,is Evans as good as Chris Long. It's a difficult step up.
But back to the exciting bit. We seem to have taken what has been a pretty poor u18s Academy for the past two years, extracted the best three and bought in a couple more in Gibson and Adeniran to give a promising core , all within about 18 months of age with each other. Throw in a couple more like Donkor and the yet unproven Markelo from last night, and the presumably injured Bowler and Mathis and you realise that this could be a very interesting season to be watching the U23s to see who is stepping up.
 

If there's one thing I've tried to learn, it's not to make judgements on players long term futures too soon. Unless you are Rooney, at 16 everything is a projection and a prayer. 18,19,20, the odds go up a bit, but even then a guy like Osman who ended up playing his entire career here (loan spell aside) didn't break through until he was 23 or so. Hell Baines was released for being too small, and came back worth millions. While I'd like to see as many take the Tom Davies route to Everton, I'm not opposed to lads going off to make their careers, and then hopefully when and if they are ready to play at this level, it's a natural fit to buy them back.

..I watched Osman lots coming through and he was a little genius of a footballer. I remember telling lads in the pub he had a chance despite his size. He had amazing technical ability, brilliantly quick feet in and around the opposition box but he had a few serious injuries at a crucial stage. I'm sure the club knew what they had and were patient with him.
 
Not to take anything away from Unsy, but inspiring a hungry group of young players on the cusp of first team football is much easier than a group of self-entitled millionaires.

...but building a team spirit for a group of individuals who are ultimately competing with each other for their futures shouldn't be underestimated. Last season the likes of Man City had better individuals but no team had the collective spirit of Everton.
 

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