David Moyes has made no secret that he is not fully pleased with Everton’s academy output.
There has not been the same level of quality produced from Everton’s academy since the 62-year-old made his return to Merseyside.
Harrison Armstrong is the latest player to make his way out of the academy and into Moyes’ starting XI.
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.
However, there has been a serious lack of talent from the area breaking into the first team over recent years.
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David Moyes disappointed by Everton’s academy
Moyes previously admitted he wasn’t overly pleased with Everton’s academy, despite some of the promising names starting to emerge.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Moyes has stated he wants more local talent to be developed at Finch Farm.
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.
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“I definitely want to bring through more Scouse boys. It is disappointing we’ve not had a bundle like Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley and Jack Rodwell coming through in recent years,” he told Jamie Carragher.
“Our academy has to be built back up.”
The Friedkin Group recently appointed Dean Rastrick as Everton’s new academy director, with the goal of improving the players within the set-up on Merseyside.
Having steadied the ship at Everton, there is now a clear long-term plan being put in place by the Friedkins, who want to push the academy on.
Not only can the academy provide the club with players for Moyes to use, but it can also act as another way for the club to generate revenue by selling some of their talent.
Everton do have some exciting talents within their academy
Braiden Graham is Everton’s standout academy prospect, with the forward having scored an impressive 17 goals this season.
Graham has trained with Moyes’ senior side recently, but he does not quite look ready physically to take on the Premier League just yet.
Regardless, the 18-year-old only highlights Moyes’ concern as he is not a local lad, having been brought in from Linfield.
Although Everton have a number of youngsters on their books with promising futures ahead of them, there is a lack of local talent on offer.
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