Everton currently have many young talents pushing for a place in the first steam and others quickly improving during their time in the youth set ups which causes many debates amongst fans as they argue over which of said young players have what it takes to become regular first team players and possibly even future legends of the club and which players will eventually have to be let go. The players currently pushing for one of those first team places are left back Luke Garbutt, all round defenders Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning and forward Connor McAleny with Ryan Ledson, Kieran Dowell and David Henen on the outside looking in hope for the odd chance here or there.
First, Luke Garbutt is a young lad with incredible potential to be Everton’s first choice left back for years to come with the possibility of him having a similar career with the toffees as Leighton Baines has had, Garbutt and Baines aren’t too dissimilar with both having tremendous left foots, the ability to supply first class crosses from corners, free kicks or open play as well as the ability to actually convert free kicks around the box.
So this leads onto the question of when does Baines step down and Garbutt step up, most would agree that to drop Leighton Baines for the upcoming season would be a disgrace as he still clearly posses the capabilities necessary to compete in the Premier League so in the upcoming 2015/16 season when does Luke Garbutt play; well for me Garbutt plays all early round cup games possibly even up to the quarter finals(if we get there) and also should be occasionally rotated with Baines during times of congested fixtures such as the Christmas period especially with Baines getting older and would benefit from the rest. Finally, whenever Baines gets injured or suspended Garbutt should be the immediate first choice replacement no questions asked.
Next, on to Brendan Galloway, as I write this Galloway is playing left back in a pre-season friendly against Stoke City however with are current embarrassment of riches in the area with the aforementioned Baines and Garbutt as well as Bryan Oviedo Galloways chances would be extremely limited and as him and Garbutt are of a similar age and Garbutt looking set to be the future first choice I don’t see Galloway ever nailing down that position. One position I do see him playing centre back with him being tall, strong, quick and a solid tackler he looks ready made to play in the centre of defensive, and as Everton only currently have two recognised senior central defenders and little money to sign two more coupled with Martinez’s comments after the West Ham game last season about Galloways suitability to central defence I would expect to see play a lot more games this season as he may become a regular if injuries strike.
Another player possibly ready for the first team is Tyias Browning. For me Browning still has a lot to prove and will need a season similar to that of Luke Garbutt last year whereby he finally flourishes and shows signs of reaching his full potential and similar to Galloway I see him providing back up to the centre of defence but also for him to get game time i think it would be sensible to use him as back up to Seamus Coleman also especially with Hibbert reaching the end of his career, having fresh legs at right back may be of more beneficial than worn out yet experienced ones. However if Browning fails to shine and seems to remain at the same performance level that may be the cue for him to leave.
Conor McAleny raised a few eyebrows after an impressive performance against Swindon Town the other day where he scored, assisted twice and played an important role in the final goal of a 4-0 win for the blues, Connor has never really impressed during any of his loan spells nor any of his cameo appearances for Everton but if he can replicate the performance against Swindon against Premier League opposition then who am I to judge but the signs aren’t good as he hasn’t shown any real possibility of making it and with little time to vastly improve at 22 the chances of Evertonians seeing McAleny play regular football for their club are pretty slim.
Finally, the three players I see making the odd appearance in an early round cup tie and eventually breaking into the first team are central midfielders Ryan Ledson and Kieran Dowell and striker/winger David Henen who have all shown signs of becoming future first team regulars. To conclude at Everton there are many good quality young players and with the right play time, training and attitude they could become recognised Premier League players.
