Everton U21 manager Paul Tait has picked out Callum Bates for special praise after their 2-2 draw against Burnley.
It was Braiden Graham who grabbed the headlines yet again after he found the back of the net for Everton, before conceding a penalty that completely turned the game on its head.
Although Everton’s unbeaten run was extended to five games, there was a real missed opportunity, with few performances to write home about at Finch Farm.
Bates was one of the more impressive players on Monday afternoon, as the midfielder provided an assist for Kingsford Boakye’s goal to double Everton’s lead.
Leighton Baines was watching the Everton U18s in FA Youth Cup action last week, and there were eyes on the game at Finch Farm on Monday.
Bates was one of the few standout performers as Everton’s return of midfield talent from the academy continues to grow.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Premier League 2
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Paul Tait singles out Callum Bates for Everton praise
Bates doubled his assist tally for the season against Burnley as he set up Boakye for what Everton thought was the winning goal.
Tait was left impressed with Graham’s opening goal, but he was equally as impressed with the work from Bates to intercept the ball and lay it off for Boakye.
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“In the second half, we could have put the game to bed. We’d gone ahead but we looked a bit open when they won the ball back,” said Tait after the game at Finch Farm.
“It was a quality goal from Braiden and we thought we would go on and win the game. Then a good bit of play from Callum Bates, who I thought played well, to slide Kingsford in for a good finish.”
David Moyes admitted he wants to see more from Everton’s U21s before he promotes any other players to join Harrison Armstrong in the first team.
It is naturally Graham who is getting a lot of the praise given his impressive return of 13 goals in the Premier League 2, but there are other talents also impressing at Finch Farm.
Callum Bates needs to prove himself out on loan
At the age of 20 and with one year remaining on his current deal, Bates is in desperate need of a loan move.
Everton have just loaned George Pickford out to Southport in recent days to help him gain some experience in the men’s game.
Bates is a player who could well fall into the same category.
With Harrison Armstrong making the jump up to the senior side, the opportunities for Bates will be few and far between with Moyes.
Tait has been impressed with the midfielder, who has spent almost a decade at Everton, but his growth will be limited at this level.
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