Everton ‘star in the making’ promoted to David Moyes first team at Finch Farm
Everton are hoping to welcome a new academy product into David Moyes’ first team this season.
Several young players left on loan in the final days of the window. Isaac Heath scored and assisted on his Accrington Stanley debut, and Harrison Armstrong left Everton to join Preston North End on loan.
Tyler Onyango joined Stockport County on loan, following his spell there in the second half of last season.
But a number of youngsters still remain at the club to develop with the Under-21 and Under-18 sides, and will have one eye on making their first-team debuts this season.
Among them, Ray Robert signed his first professional deal at Everton in July and holds the honour of having scored the first-ever goal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in an U18 clash.
Amari Moses trains with Everton first team
Armstrong has impressed Moyes this season and is perhaps the most highly rated academy product at Everton.
The midfielder had looked in line for a place in the first team this season, especially after providing two assists against Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup, but the Toffees ultimately decided a loan would be better for his development.
There will be chances for his fellow academy talents this season, however, with Moyes likely to give a debut should Everton draw a lower-league opponent in the FA Cup in January.
Among the candidates could be 16-year-old midfielder Amari Moses, who, as reported by Everton Academy on Wednesday 3 September, trained with the first team on Tuesday.
The youngster made his debut for the U18 side last season, and picked up his first assist too.
Academy can prove a useful tool for Everton
The rise and departure of Anthony Gordon, while leaving a sour taste for Everton fans, does provide a perfect example of how investing in the academy can be profitable.
The winger rose through the ranks with the Toffees, eventually making his first appearances in the 2019/20 season.
| Premier League – Academy sales | Fee |
| Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal | £105m |
| Jack Grealish – Aston Villa to Manchester City | £100m |
| Harry Kane – Tottenham to Bayern Munich | £100m |
| Mason Mount – Chelsea to Manchester United | £55m |
| Ben White – Brighton to Arsenal | £50m |
And after just three seasons, Gordon had established himself as a top talent and moved on to Newcastle United in a deal worth £45million.
Everton would prefer to keep their best talents, but they cannot ignore the type of money that can arise from producing their own.
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