Everton U21s are in action on Monday afternoon as they face Burnley at Finch Farm, kick off is at 4pm GMT.
Young forward Braiden Graham has lifted the excitement around the Hill Dickinson Stadium when it comes to the academy prospects.
The 18-year-old forward was in action for Everton’s U18s on Thursday evening as he continues to play across the two age levels.
Graham was being watched by Leighton Baines at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in the victory against Ipswich Town, with the Everton coach acting as the eyes and ears for David Moyes.
Does David Moyes need to put more trust in Everton’s academy players? 😤
Surely some of these players can do better than Beto and Dwight McNeil! 😡
Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
Paul Tait may use Graham on Monday afternoon at Finch Farm, but there will be more exciting talents on display against the Clarets.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Premier League 2
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Reece Welch – Centre-back
Michael Keane’s contract at Everton is set to expire this summer, which will leave Moyes with a decision to make.
Reece Welch has been included in the first team squad eight times this season in the Premier League amid the injury issue suffered by Jarrad Branthwaite.
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Although the 22-year-old did not come off the bench, it just goes to show that he is in Moyes’ thinking.
Having now seen a lot of Everton’s injured players return to the fold, Welch could well make his own return to the U21s on Monday.
At the age of 22, and his own deal expiring this summer, a decision is also going to have to be made on Welch’s future.
Malik Olayiwola – Midfielder
Only recently turning 17, Malik Olayiwola inked his first professional contract at Everton just last month to keep him at Finch Farm until 2028.
Which player do you think could be next to shine in Everton’s first team? 🤩
There's some really exciting youngsters currently at Finch Farm 🔥
Everton's Braiden Graham inspecting the pitch before the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton. Everton midfielder Malik Olayiwola. Justin Clarke of Everton looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Accrington Stanley and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto/Matt McNulty.
“I want to keep developing as a player, but also try to get some minutes with the first team,” Olayiwola said after signing his deal.
The midfielder has made the jump up to the Premier League 2 after netting four and assisting three times in his eight U18 Premier League appearances.
Olayiwola has represented England across a number of different age ranges and he is showing his development having started the last four Premier League 2 games.
Ray Robert – Forward
Graham may have grabbed the headlines on Thursday, but it was Ray Robert’s goal that secured the victory for the young Blues.
The 17-year-old did not start the game, with Keith Southern’s decision to bring him on proving a real stroke of magic.
Robert has returned six goals and five assists in the U18 Premier League this season, which has rewarded him with some opportunities of late in the U21 side.
He may not start, but keep an eye out for Robert, who is coming into the game as the match-winner from the FA Youth Cup win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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