Everton’s academy has come under fire in recent years.
As once one of England’s most famed producers of top talent, a lack of proficiency in capturing, developing and promoting the stars of the future has seen them lag behind whilst other Premier League sides speed ahead.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and even the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion all have academy stars currently shining in their teams.
And yet, when asked about any of the players in his youth setup, Sean Dyche was rather cutthroat: ‘There is no one I have looked at and thought: ‘You are ready to jump in’.’
It seems one player has seriously taken that to heart.
Martin Sherif shines in Germany
Martin Sherif had been enjoying a solid season before Everton’s U18s travelled to Germany to compete in the U19 Champions Trophy Easter tournament, but following it, it seems he has done his reputation no harm.
After all, national media were left enamoured with his performances, spearheading the Toffees run to the final, where they would win the title too.
Courtesy of Rheinische Post, as relayed by Sport Witness, his ability to shine in a tournament where the level was branded ‘very appealing’ has caught the interest of many.
They go on to note that he ‘made a fearsome impression’ on defenders, forming one of the ‘most dangerous scoring duos’ alongside Cody Ebere.
Following such a stunning showing, it is now expected that ‘doors will open for him’. Hopefully, that doorway will lead to more first-team opportunities rather than another sale.
Evertonians love an academy graduate.
Sean Dyche might be proven wrong about academy prospects
Well, to have made his aforementioned assumption before that tournament in Germany, it is clear that Dyche had not been paying too close attention to the academy.
After all, Sherif has hardly earned his breakout with this latest round of praise, given he already had 11 goals and one assist across just nine appearances in the U18s Premier League.
He is one of a few star prospects who will have heard Dyche’s words and been inspired to prove him wrong, and it seems that his latest exploits will have certainly aided in that process.
The only frustration is that the former Burnley boss is hardly proficient when it comes to bleeding new talent into the first team, and their chances may be limited.
Anthony Gordon marks one of very few success stories to establish a place in the starting side, before his eventual move to Newcastle United. And even that all happened before Dyche was appointed.
Regardless, it is likely that Sherif is now leading the pack, of those expected to be next up on the production line.