Former Everton academy product Francis Jeffers has suggested the club made a big mistake in letting another youngster depart.
Over recent years, there has not been a great deal of talent to break into the Everton first team from the academy.
There is one name currently on the lips of all Everton fans in Harrison Armstrong, who is currently out on loan with Preston North End.
Paul Heckingbottom has been so impressed by Armstrong during the early stages of his loan stint at Deepdale.
David Moyes has not handed out a great deal of opportunities to Everton’s young prospects since he was re-appointed manager earlier this year.
There is one player who Jeffers cannot believe Everton let go of a huge talent back in 2019 to join Leeds United.
SOCCER JPL D12 KAA GENT VS STANDARD DE LIEGE
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Everton slammed for allowing Max Dean to leave in 2019
Earlier this week, Everton called up George Pickford to senior training at Finch Farm, where he impressed with some smart saves.
However, opportunities have been few and far between for the young prospects to showcase their talents amid Everton’s recent struggles.
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In discussion with Everton News columnist Alan Myers, on The Added Time Podcast, Jeffers has admitted he was gutted to see Max Dean moved on in 2019.
“Max Dean, little Scouse lad. Unbelievable, right? It broke my heart when Everton released him and it was in covid because they should never released him,” said Jeffers.
“Was he good enough to play for Everton? Probably not. Was he going to have a career? 100%.
“You never know until you put them in.
“And I worked with him and he was only little and he struggled with the physicality. But I always said just wait. You can’t wait forever. But we’d had him since he was 10, got to 16 and released him.
“Anyway, he went on to Leeds after Everton and there’d be loads of stories like this but he went on to Leeds. Leeds sent him on loan to MK Dons where he banged loads of goals in and then I think Gent in Belgium bought him for £2 million. He went out there.”
Everton have some exciting young talents who could be on the verge of making an impression on Moyes’ first team, but Dean was never handed the opportunity.
As Jeffers claimed, Dean is currently playing his football out in Belgium with KAA Gent in their top flight.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Dean, who has only just made his return following a cruciate ligament tear last season.
He is finally back in action after making a strong start to his time in the city of Ghent.
Max Dean @ KAA Gent Total
Appearances 31
Minutes 1519
Goals 13
Assists 3
The Toffees will be keen to finally see some of their own products coming through into the squad following a few years of troubles.
Everton News understands that Everton are keen for Armstrong to remain at Preston for the remainder of the season.
Moyes will have the opportunity to recall the midfielder in January, but the Blues are keen to keep his development going in the Championship.