Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has offered a glowing assessment of substitute Tyrique George following Everton’s dramatic 2–2 draw at Brentford, insisting the Chelsea loanee is working hard and making his mark whenever the opportunity arises.
George, 19, came off the bench in the 75th minute to replace Dwight McNeil and immediately caught the eye with his direct running and willingness to take on his man – qualities Dewsbury-Hall believes will be vital in the final weeks of the season.
“I thought he was a real threat when he came on,” Dewsbury-Hall told evertontv. “He had a couple of good shots, he was driving at his man. And look, we are going to need him, definitely for the rest of the games – and other people. It’s not just going to be the 11 who are on the pitch.”
The Everton midfielder revealed he has been encouraging George to back himself in one-on-one situations – advice that clearly bore fruit during a lively final 20 minutes at the Gtech.
“I know what he’s like,” Dewsbury-Hall added. “When he’s got confidence, when he knows he’s up against his man one-v-one, he’s always going to go at him. And I say, ‘Look, just keep doing it. Keep doing it because you’ll create chances’. And he did in the final 20 minutes of the game.”
George has found regular starting opportunities hard to come by since joining on loan from Chelsea in January, but Dewsbury-Hall was quick to dismiss any notion of a disgruntled squad player, instead pointing to a young man fully bought into the collective effort.
“He’s working hard. He’s definitely not sulking. He’s working hard and it shows when he comes on in the game and makes an impact,” Dewsbury-Hall concluded.