Everton Under-21s have had a good Premier League 2 season in 2024/25. Cross-competition, including the Premier League 2, Football League Trophy and Liverpool Senior Cup, they amassed a hugely impressive 67 goals scored with the exact same amount conceded, the latter not so impressive. An average of 2.03 goals for and against each game!
They finished just above the halfway point of the table which was a massive improvement on their previous campaign (2nd to bottom), won the Liverpool Senior Cup and although they exited the Football League Trophy early, at the group stage, they did beat League Two Tranmere Rovers 3-1 albeit with the helping hand of a Beto brace.
Top goalscorers for the U21s (cross-competition) this term were:
Martin Sherif 13
Omari Benjamin 9
Charlie Whitaker 8
Braiden Graham 6
Aside from the impressive tally from Sherif, it was nice to see both Benjamin and Graham both score decent amounts in their first seasons with the club. Indeed, Graham also scored 10 at Under-18 level. The 17 year old Northern Irishman effectively played for the U18s the first half of the season and for the U21s the second half. Whitaker’s first half of the season tally earned him a permanent move during the winter transfer window to Notts County where he notched a further 4 goals at League Two level.
Everton v Plymouth Argyle - The FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Braiden Graham of Everton looks dejected after the team's defeat in the The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
The team, having struggled to score goals in the previous campaign, had no such difficulty this time around. They scored 4 goals on 4 occasions and, in one of the games of the season, also beat Spurs 5-4. The goalscoring malaise clearly is history!
The side suffered just one real mauling, a 0-5 early season defeat to eventual Premier League 2 champions, Manchester City, so there’s no shame in that.
Breakthrough players during the season
Isaac Heath actually picked up the player of the season award and it was reward for the consistent high-energy play by the 20 year old winger/ wing-back.
Martin Sherif established his role as the main centre forward with some impressive goals. He has developed his all round play very well in the last 12 months.
Omari Benjamin, following his arrival from Arsenal’s U18s, started the season very impressively showing versatility as a wide-man as well as his preferred choice as striker.
Aled Thomas, a left-footed Welsh centre back, who can also play left back, had a very good second half of the season especially. Calm on the ball and a real unusual talent (for a centre back) at taking very dangerous inswinging corner kicks. In my opinion, they were some of the best I saw at any level all season.
Everton U18 v Liverpool U18: U18 Premier League Aled Thomas putting his foot in
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Likely new regular squad members for next season
The transition to next season has already started. There are several candidates for promotion from the Under 18s and players like Graham, Thomas and striker George Morgan should feature heavily in 2025/ 26 campaigns having made their U21 debuts this year. We would also expect some investment at this level by the club bringing in players in the transfer market.
In summary
A season of real promise, managed in part with some squad players barely settled at Under 18 level. The goalscoring problems of the past have been firmly put to bed and even though they “leak” a few too many, the games have been hugely entertaining and long may it continue that way!
As for making any breakthrough to the first team, the early newly-announced pre-season friendlies against Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers plus the forthcoming trip to USA will give opportunities for a few I think. Heath, Thomas, Sherif and Graham are probably the standout candidates for inclusion right now but there are others too. It all depends on the availability of seniors, some of whom will have been playing international football until mid-June. Once the club returns to training at Finch Farm in about 4 weeks’ time, we will have a better picture.
Good luck to all the players, we saw some really entertaining stuff, befitting of Everton Football Club. It will be interesting to see where they play their games this season, having cut ties with Southport Football Club’s stadium.
They might be spoilt for choice with Finch Farm, Walton Hall Park, Goodison Park and who knows, the new Hill Dickinson stadium at Bramley Moore dock? Exciting times!