The teenager's reputation has exploded through a season laden with goals in the academy and call-ups for the first team
Everton prospect Braiden Graham received more praise this week with Under-21s manager Paul Tait heralding his “red hot” form.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a stunning season in the academy - one that has led to him capturing the attention of the fanbase through his goalscoring exploits.
The Northern Ireland youth international has 17 goals across 24 appearances so far this campaign. His impact has led to recognition from David Moyes, who called the teenager back early from his Christmas holiday to join the matchday squad for the Premier League win at Nottingham Forest. He was also named on the first team bench in the FA Cup against Sunderland. The ECHO had reported that a first team call up was on the cards.
Graham has a reputation as a “lethal” finisher and his 20 months at Finch Farm have seen his reputation explode. A good first season after signing from Linfield saw him pen his first professional contract when he turned 17 before breaking into the Under-21s with a headline-grabbing four goals in an away win at Tottenham Hotspur.
He has made that step up with apparent ease this season, scoring 13 of his goals for Tait.
Of real satisfaction to those tracking his progress has been the value of his strikes, which have includedsublime finishes with both feet in the Premier League International Cup win over RB Leipzig and goals in recent wins over Manchester City and at Spurs. Graham’s value has extended to international football too - his match-winning strike against Azerbaijan securing Northern Ireland U19s’ passage to the next stage of the qualification process for the 2026 Euros.
He recently scored a stoppage-time equaliser against Ipswich Town in the U18s when dropping down for the prestigious FA Youth Cup, keeping the Blues’ hopes alive with Keith Southern’s side now set to face Man City in the quarter-finals. Graham had scored in the wins over Millwall and West Ham United in the previous rounds.
Graham scored in the draw with Burnley U21s on Monday but was unable to find the back of the net in the home defeat to Sunderland on Friday. Ahead of that game, Tait provided his views on his star forward.
He said: “He’s in really good form. He’s added consistency this season - he’s scored throughout but he’s red hot at the moment in terms of his goals. His all-around play has been good - there are still areas we are working on every day to get him better, but he has got the attitude and the desire to get better, so that puts him in a good place.”