Graham has lit up Premier League 2 for Everton's U21s since joining from the Blues in 2024, scoring 21 goals in 29 appearances.
Aged 18, Graham was the youngest amongst nominees for ‘Player of the Season’ last term and has caught the eye of Toffees boss David Moyes – he has been named on the bench for two Premier League fixtures this term without making his senior debut.
Sign up to our daily newsletter
Graham was once again amongst the substitutes for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Wolves but with Moyes’ side only finding a winner in the 80th minute, the teenager wasn’t called upon.
Northern Ireland’s Braiden Graham with France’s Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by William Cherry/Presseye)placeholder image
Northern Ireland’s Braiden Graham with France’s Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by William Cherry/Presseye)
Despite Graham’s phenomenal goalscoring record, Moyes has stated his belief “I don’t think he’s a striker” – but said he was “certainly moving in the right direction” ahead of this month’s draw with Manchester United.
Graham received his maiden senior Northern Ireland call-up ahead of June’s friendlies against Guinea and France but didn’t get on the pitch.
He’ll have another opportunity to make his international debut after once again being included in O’Neill’s squad for four Nations League fixtures.
O’Neill has watched Graham’s development closely over recent years and believes he has the ability to play across various positions.
"I've watched him a lot...I've watched Braiden since he was young and I've seen him from 14 or 15,” said O’Neill. “As you develop, every player develops physically differently.
"It's very difficult to play in the Premier League as a striker, you look at the profile of what clubs want as their striker, but Braiden's a very talented player.
"He's a very technical player, a great finisher, really good left foot, smart in terms of how he plays.
"I think the most important thing is not to pigeonhole him in a position. He's adaptable and he's adaptable because he's such a good player.
"I think at this minute in time, his best options would be to play maybe a little bit more off the side, possibly as a 10, and maybe around a bigger striker if you played with a front two, for example, which not many teams do.
"What he did show us in training was a real high technical level and the ability to stick the ball in the net.”