Everton welcome Fulham to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend, and David Moyes should seriously consider unleashing an academy gem off the bench.
Everton fans are growing frustrated with David Moyes’ treatment of the youth, as not even the prestigious £40m talent Tyler Dibling can get a kick at the moment.
Adam Aznou was signed with great promise after a successful loan spell from Bayern Munich with Real Valladolid.
And yet Aznou has not played a single minute and has been made to play with the under-21s at times. Thierno Barry hasn’t looked great, but he gets limited time on the pitch to show what he’s about.
There are also some talented youngsters in the Finch Farm academy who deserve a chance, and one of them should at least be on the bench against Fulham this weekend.
Everton winger Justin Clarke.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
There is a rhetoric at the moment, and probably rightfully so, that Moyes doesn’t put enough trust in the youth.
Well, he can certainly squash those theories by handing the very exciting young winger Justin Clarke a chance against Fulham this weekend.
Clarke really impressed in pre-season for the Everton first-team and has continued that form into under-21s football this term.
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The 17-year-old has registered five goal involvements in eight appearances, showing real pace and physicality on the flank.
It’s understood Moyes has invited Clarke to train with the first-team at times this season, so it’d be encouraging to see him in the squad against Fulham.
His dynamism provides Moyes with a different option from the bench.
What Justin Clarke said after signing new Everton contract
Clarke’s impressive performances in pre-season saw him rewarded with a first professional contract in August.
After signing the deal, the teenager explained that he has a lot of self-belief and wants to keep developing.
“I’ll always be confident, and I’ll never abandon my gameplan. That’s just me. I had the backing of the coaches and the players, so I knew I could do what I normally do.
“I think it was a good experience. It’s such a good group with lots of characters, so it was great for me and my development to be learning new things.
“I just want to be the best I can be. That’s all I can be, really. I’m finding it good so far. The Under-21s are more experienced and it’s a good coaching staff. I don’t want to rush anything, but I’m looking forward to the season.”
If he doesn’t get any opportunities with Moyes’ side before the end of the year, surely the FA Cup will be a platform for him to make his senior debut in a competitive match.