With Everton safe from relegation, will Dyche give youngsters a chance?

01/05/2024 11:00

It's a question many Evertonians are asking given the rare luxury of Premier League safety with three games to go

It was three years ago in 2021 under the more relaxed leadership of Carlo Ancelotti when Everton fans could last think about enjoying their spring-time football. Even then the vast majority were watching on TV as the world recovered from the Coronavirus pandemic. There were only 10,000 spectators allowed in stadiums in May 2021 so the fact that a crowd will be worry-free, at least about the league position, is something of a novelty.

With season ending injuries confirmed for both Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko and club captain Seamus Coleman clearly struggling for fitness, the full back positions have seen Ben Godfrey and Ashley Young fill the gaps during the successful run which has secured safety. Both filled in with distinction by the way!

Given that veteran Young is 39 later this year and has played way more than he and everybody else expected, the question has to be asked about blooding a few youngsters and giving Young and a few other seniors a rest.

The Under 21s season ended on Monday 29th April so they will be fully match fit still but without a competitive game. What about a few run-outs in Sean Dyche's team?

The sceptics of course will point to Dyche's track record in recent times and think that there is little or no chance. However, we are in very different times and although the club will be duty-bound, for the integrity of the game, to field strong teams, there may yet be scope. The one remaining home game with Sheffield United would not raise even a "Richard Masters eyebrow" as there is nothing riding on the game at all. So, who might get the call?

For the full back positions if Godfrey or Young were to be given a rest:

Mackenzie Hunt, Kyle John or, just possibly, Roman Dixon. Neither of the former are what you would class as kids any more yet neither has played a single minute in a competitive game for the Blues' first team. Both the left footed Hunt and right footed John are simply too good to be playing Under-21 football. Both stand out at that level but realistically Dyche must not be 100% convinced they can step up. 23 year old John can play either flank and is energetic, has good control and delivers a good pass or cross into the opposition area. 22 year old Hunt, as a fairly recently converted midfielder is strong on ball retention under pressure and has a fearsome left-footed drive.

Dixon, on the other hand, despite his immense promise and hype over his electric pace has, in my opinion, much to learn about positioning as a right back. His recovery pace won't always get the team out of trouble and yet, on a good day, he can absolutely destroy anyone tasked with stopping one of his trademark surges forward. He has time on his side at the age of 19.

Central defence ifthe unthinkable happens and James Tarkowski misses a minute of playing time or the outstanding Jarrad Branthwaite is rested:

Reece Welch and Tyler Onyango are the obvious candidates if Keane didn't get the nod. That is the stronger likelihood of course.

Welch has finished the season quite strongly for the Under 21s after making 23 appearances for now relegated-out-of-the-league Forest Green Rovers in a harrowing half-season loan. He is still only 20 so can develop further.

Onyango, coincidentally had also played for the Gloucestershire club on loan briefly last season for Duncan Ferguson in his normal position of central midfield. A recent positional change for him to centre back has seen his game chances boosted. With much more time and space at the back, his long stride can see him emerge quickly out of defence into areas of the pitch where he is back in familiar territory. He has a chance.

Midfield

Got to be Lewis Warrington and possibly Jenson Metcalfe.

Warrington has made the bench 4 times since he regained fitness from the injury which had seen his loan to Championship side Plymouth Argyle cut short. Never afraid to offer himself as an "out-ball" even in tight situations, he is a Dyche type of player, good in the tackle and nice passing range.

Metcalfe is also very good on the ball, similar stature to Warrington, good vision and a very good long passing range. He also has a spikiness with the opposition in his game which might serve him well.

Attack

Has to be Lewis Dobbin and Youssef Chermiti, a small outside chance for Charlie Whitaker.

Dobbin will be chomping at the bit as he completed over an hour for the Under-21s on Monday. Either wide on the flank or supporting the centre forward he is almost certain to get more first team minutes as is Chermiti after his fairly impressive outing against Brentford on Saturday. Whitaker is a versatile forward who has thankfully overcome a very serious injury and can play as an attacking midfielder, wide or as a centre forward. He has caught the eye in the past with his clever movement and weighting of his passes.

You have to think, with the Sheffield United game in particular, it would be a massive boost for any of these youngsters to grace the Goodison turf in a relaxed atmosphere. Good luck to any that do manage to get the call!