Everton youngster Braiden Graham could be a wildcard option for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Italy in March.
David Moyes has witnessed Graham’s sudden rise in the Everton youth system over recent months as he simply cannot stop scoring.
The 18-year-old forward netted on Monday afternoon for Paul Tait’s U21s at Finch Farm just days after scoring for Keith Southern’s U18s at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Tait has been so impressed with Graham, who took his goal tally up to eight in the Premier League 2 this season after scoring against Burnley.
However, questions remain over when his debut for the senior side may come about after showing Moyes just what he can do in the youth divisions.
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.
A call-up to the Northern Ireland squad to face Italy next month may prove more likely, with their spot in this summer’s World Cup on the line.
Northern Ireland v Ukraine: Group A - UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2024
Photo by Ramsey Cardy – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
Braiden Graham could make senior debut after Everton development
Moyes has sent Leighton Baines to watch Graham in action for Everton’s U18s during their FA Youth Cup game last week.
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The 18-year-old forward has not yet made a matchday squad for Moyes this season, but he could be called upon by his national side in March.
Where do you stand on Braiden Graham… would you give him his debut? 🎯
TalkingPoints user on Braiden Graham.
Graham has represented Northern Ireland throughout the age levels having netted nine times across his 22 appearances.
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Minutes
Premier League 2 13 8 1 1,170
National League Cup 4 3 0 302
FA Youth Cup 3 4 0 327
Premier League Int. Cup 4 2 1 308
Total 24 17 2 1,900
A big promotion to the senior side could be on the cards for March’s game against Italy, which will see the winner take another step closer to World Cup qualification.
Moyes has questioned Graham’s physicality, which makes an Everton debut in the foreseeable future seem unlikely at this point.
However, his national side, respectfully, have a much weaker pool of players to choose from for their game in Bergamo next month.
Braiden Graham faces young Northern Ireland competition for call-up
Michael O’Neill is not exactly blessed with a star striker for Northern Ireland, with Jamie Donely and Isaac Price starting in their last outing in November.
Harrison Armstrong has already likened Graham to Ronaldo following his stunning goal for the U18s last week at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Whether the youngster is ready to make a start in the Northern Ireland side is another question, but O’Neill will be fully aware of how Graham has been performing this season.
Back at Finch Farm, Everton’s coaches have been so impressed with Graham after some recent appearances in the senior training sessions.
Having shone so brightly in Everton’s youth sides, an opportunity is surely on the cards in some respect for Graham over the coming months.
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