During Everton’s thrilling 4-0 victory against Manchester City, two teenagers scored their first goals for the first team. Tom Davies had the third goal, and Ademola Lookman the fourth. This makes 17 teenagers to score a goal for the Everton first team during the Premier League era. Some players were successful, but many have had their careers fizzle out due to bad habits off the field or injury problems.
Under Koeman, Everton youth players have players received the opportunity to play for the first team. Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, and Ademola Lookman are just a few players that have been given their chance. Looking ahead, there are many other promising players who could make the jump to the first team. While they may not be scoring goals, they could still contribute to the squad. Some of the players listed here have played for the first team, but have yet to become a regular.
Kieran Dowell
The Ormskirk born midfielder has struggled to stay healthy this season, which has caused a drop in form. Recently, he has been healthier and stringing together a good run of form. In the U23s game against Reading, he scored a wonderful strike. Dowell has recently been linked with a loan to a Championship club. If this doesn’t materialise, he will be training with the first team, giving Ronald Koeman plenty of opportunities to see his talent.
Matthew Pennington
Last season Pennington began to threaten the first team. In the summer, he suffered a serious hamstring injury in the Dresden Cup. Having recovered by January, he has begun playing with the Under 23s. Everton currently have four first team centre backs, but Phil Jagielka has looked out of place this season. If Jagielka does end up leaving, Pennington could be the player to step up an fill his spot. Although he can play at right back, his favoured position is centre back. Pennington could give Everton the opportunity to use an academy player, instead of paying large sums of money for another defender.
Tyias Browning
Another player who had opportunities with the first team, Browning had to have knee surgery at the end of 2015. This harmed some of the progress he had made so far. Before the injury, he amassed six first team appearances last season. Browning is also beginning to appear for the Under 23s. Just like Pennington, he can play both right back and centre back. If he can stay healthy, he could also push for Phil Jagielka’s spot.
Brendan Galloway
This season, Galloway went on loan to West Brom. However, his loan has not been as beneficial as Everton might have hoped. He has only made five appearances, three of them coming in the Premier League. Everton may recall him from his loan, in order to get him more playing time. One option would be to loan him out again to a different club, but another option would be to play him with the first team. As Leighton Baines has a rib injury, he might be of use to Everton right now. Bryan Oviedo doesn’t appear to have a future at Goodison Park, and recently voiced his displeasure at his lack of game time. Galloway will probably have more opportunities to impress Koeman, as his contract runs until 2020.
Antonee Robinson
Assuming that Galloway doesn’t return from his loan spell, and Oviedo remains out of favour, Antonee Robinson could an option at left back. Robinson has appeared 13 times for the EFC Under 23s. Last year he missed most of the season with a knee injury. He has now made a full recovery, and received the squad number 49 this season. Robinson could get called up this weekend, with Baines nursing an injury.
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