Braiden Graham has quickly become the gem in the crown of Everton’s academy.
Despite lighting it up in the youth divisions, Graham is yet to earn his senior debut for Everton as the Blues battle for European football.
Emile Heskey has been impressed with Graham after watching him play in the FA Youth Cup just a matter of weeks ago.
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.
The youngster is doing all he can to knock on David Moyes’ door, but new hope has been handed to the 18-year-old following the appointment of Dean Rastrick.
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Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Braiden Graham handed Everton optimism through Dean Rastrick appointment
Everton have hired Rastrick as their new academy director, and he has been tasked with improving player development at Finch Farm.
Graham has enjoyed a seriously impressive campaign across Keith Southern and Paul Tait’s respective U18s and U21s sides.
Where do you stand on Braiden Graham… would you give him his debut? 🎯
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The 18-year-old has been able to find the back of the net 17 times across all competitions this season.
However, Moyes has admitted Graham’s physicality is not good enough yet to make the leap up to join the senior side.
“Part of my role will be to create an environment within the Academy that supports and allows the players and staff to grow and evolve and, ultimately, operate at the highest level possible,” said Rastrick.
Graham has plenty of room to grow despite his impressive 2025/26 season, which will surely be one of the top priorities on Rastrick’s agenda at Finch Farm.
Graham needs to nail down Everton position
Due to concerns over his physicality, there are still a number of questions about what Graham’s best position actually is.
The Northern Irishman is a versatile forward, but Tait believes Graham could play for Everton on the wing.
Although Graham has played a lot of his games through the middle, his lack of physicality would potentially see him come undone in the Premier League.
The summer is going to offer a real insight on where Everton view their exciting 18-year-old talent.
Harrison Armstrong has set the example for Everton prospects leaving on loan to pick up some experience in men’s football.
However, it will be intriguing to see how Rastrick’s arrival could impact Graham’s development.
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