David Moyes could have the long-term striker answer Everton are craving already lurking in the club’s academy system.
Everton splashed some serious cash over the summer on Frenchman Thierno Barry to provide the club with some much-needed attacking threat.
The youngster is still waiting to get off the mark on Merseyside, with Beto having been reintroduced as the starting striker under Moyes.
Goals have come from all around the squad this season as the Blues have seen four different players score in the Premier League.
Moyes admitted he was disappointed with Beto during the summer, but he has now handed the 27-year-old the responsibility up top again.
With only one goal coming from his strikers this season, Moyes has been informed that he has a very exciting young prospect coming through the ranks.
Everton manager David Moyes watching on.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
David Moyes informed of exciting Everton talent Braiden Graham
Everton scouts will watch Atletico Madrid’s Daniel Fitzgerald in action on Wednesday in the UEFA Youth League against Liverpool.
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As the Toffees look to add some exciting young prospects to develop at Finch Farm, it seems there is already one in the academy who could be set for a bright future.
Speaking on Tuesday night after Everton U21’s defeat in the National League Cup, coach Paul Tait waxed lyrical about 17-year-old Braiden Graham.
“We didn’t start well at all in the second half – we didn’t dominate the game, and we didn’t create enough chances,” he told the Everton website.
“But then the substitutes gave us a bit of a lift and we got some control. Braiden got his goal and we should have gone on to win the game, or at least not lose it. Braiden had been knocking on the door and he took his goal well. He’s a good finisher.”
Everton fans have already become excited about Graham and the potential he could have for the future at the club.
However, at the age of just 17, he will still have a lot to prove if he is to catch the attention of Moyes in the first team.
Braiden Graham is expected to have a big future
Speaking back in 2024, former Northern Ireland coach David Healy tipped Graham to become a starter over the coming years for his nation.
Despite being of such young age, Graham is already leading the line for Everton’s U21s in the Premier League 2.
Having started all three of the opening games this season, the 17-year-old has helped himself to a goal against Fulham.
Moyes will likely not view Graham as an option to use in the first squad just yet, given Everton loaned out Harrison Armstrong who has significantly more first team experience.
But this is clearly a name to look out for in the future, especially given the struggles Everton’s strikers are having to nail down consistent goals.