Everton's youth forwards: Striking it rich with the first team in their sights?

11/21/2024 04:00 PM

The Toffees' young attackers' prospects are at a real high

Whilst Everton have struggled at the first team level to average even a goal per competitive game in recent seasons (0.74 in 2022/23, 1.11 in 2023/24 and 1.08 this season), the current youth teams boast a healthy 'per game' return of 2.21 for the Under 21s and 2.33 for the Under 18s.

Not for one minute would I suggest that kids promoted from the Under 21s or Under 18s can just simply continue at their current levels. but scoring is a habit at any level. We saw recently with youth hotshots Ellis Simms and Tom Cannon that they struggled to maintain their youth scoring levels in the Premier League in the few opportunities they were given.

Although, personally, I think Sean Dyche makes a meal of the "Premier League levels and Premier League experience" argument, it isundoubtedly different scoring in front of 30 to 40,000 fans to being in front of a few hundred at the most.

Dyche often refers to the "damaging impact" that actually playing youngsters can have, presumably if things do not go well. I would suggest that it was not particularly helpful to their careers in holding back Simms and Cannon for instance when their confidence was high? Some of that predates Dyche of course, but if you're good enough you're old enough and if you consistently fail then you weren't good enough in the first place?

Opportunity is what these kids need, even if it's off the first team bench (rather than bizarrely having 2 goalkeepers sat there!!). So, who am I referring to in the youth set-up?

Omari Benjamin - 5 goals in 11 games (under 21). The summer free transfer signing was briefly on trial in March this year, scoring a goal on his debut for the Under 21s. There had been high hopes for him and yet, when he first arrived, he found himself playing wide left as either Francis Okoronkwo or Martin Sherif were the main big centre forwards playing up front. He did OK out wide but not overwhelmingly so. When Okoronkwo went on loan and Sherif got injured, he found himself leading the line. At about 5'8" he doesn't thrive on long punted balls of course but he retains the ball well, is very strong, quick and and can score goals. He's a good prospect.

Charlie Whitaker - 7 goals in 12 games (Under 21) the question over why Whitaker has not been called up for serious contention, when goals have been hard to come by, can only be answered by Sean Dyche. There may be good reason of course that we don't know about. However, as a versatile forward, best as a supporting striker to a #9 in a 4-4-2 formation in my opinion, it's a mystery. He did feature quite heavily in the latest first team training footage so maybe he is winning people around? He has some strong attributes, not least knowing where the net is! A good technical footballer who can take men on, pass the ball well and is tenacious in the tackle. Quite simply he looks to be a poor loser which is a good thing. He is now 21 and out of contract in 2025 so things are not looking great under the current management team but things can change.

Braiden Graham - 8 goals in 9 games (under 18) The Blues didn't wait a day longer than they had to in order to sign this prolific young man from Ballygowan, Northern Ireland on full professional terms on his 17th birthday recently. That was the earliest opportunity for any player to go full time. More about him below.

Justin Clarke - 6 goals in 5 games (under 18) not a striker as such, more a wide-playing forward. This September signing from Wimbledon gets himself into excellent scoring positions and although only 16 is physically tall and strong. Look for yourself above?

There are other strikers who have played less games this season like Sherif and Coby Ebere (both currently injured), plus George Morgan. Out wide we have goalscoring wingers in Jacob Beaumont-Clark, Joel Catesby and let's not forget right winger Stan Mills who is now recovering from a bad knee injury sustained in January. On loan at Salford City currently we also have striker/ winger Okoronkwo.

Interestingly, of all those mentioned only one, Catesby, is from Merseyside so the scouting system at youth level should at least be applauded for finding and securing the futures of these promising boys from Lancashire to Ireland and the Netherlands.

My pick of the lot?

So long as he keeps working hard, which seems to be a given, and he doesn't get any serious injuries, it's a matter of time, not just if Braiden Graham starts up front for Everton.

His main attribute is something that cannot be easily taught, "to be in the right place at the right time". For those with longer football memories, ex-Blue Gary Lineker as a top goalscorer had that in abundance even though he was, by his own admission, not a gifted footballer. The instinct to know when and how to find space in a crowded penalty area is a gift. Coaches can help but the thinking is done (or not) by the player. Graham has this and he can play a bit too!

He has good pace and movement, is surprisingly strong and robust for someone scraping 5'9" tall and can confidently score with both his feet and his head. Here he is in his own words and one of his trademark goals is in the clip:

Interesting second clip below, an interview with him at Linfield 12 months ago and further examples of his confident finishing:

It might be some time before any of the strikers mentioned here can get some competitive game time in the first team given that we still have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, with Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja close to returning as well.

Conclusion? I know there will be many supporters who will point out that the last prolific Premier League goalscorers from the Toffees' academy were over 20 years ago (Wayne Rooney and Francis Jeffers) but I honestly feel that, in Graham especially, we have a talent that can break into the first team scene and light up Bramley Moore Dock. Time, opportunity and fortune will tell!