Everton plan to give Braiden Graham increased exposure to first-team training as part of his development this summer, with the club set to use his pre-season involvement to decide whether a loan move or a place closer to David Moyes’ squad best suits him next season.
According to Patrick Boyland of The Athletic, Everton will assess Graham’s progress over the coming weeks before settling on a direction, weighing up regular senior football away from Goodison against the value of working daily alongside Moyes’ first-team group.
It’s the clearest indication yet of how Everton plan to handle one of their most exciting academy products, with the 18-year-old having scored 25 goals in 34 appearances at youth level last season and already been handed his first senior Northern Ireland call-up.
Why the timing matters
Graham was included in two first-team matchday squads last term, away at Nottingham Forest and at home in the FA Cup exit to Sunderland, without making his senior debut. Talks over a new contract have also opened in recent weeks, with his current deal due to expire in June 2027.
Giving him an extended look in first-team training before deciding his next step suggests Everton want first-hand evidence of where he stands physically and tactically before committing to either path — rather than defaulting straight to an EFL loan, as has been widely expected.
Keep an eye on the news pages as Everton’s pre-season plans take shape.