Everton’s academy is playing a key role in the club’s attempt to survive and consolidate.
Youth products have brought in crucial funds that have been pumped into the wider club over a difficult year. That trend has continued into the summer with the departures of both Ellis Simms and Ishe Samuels-Smith in multi-million pound deals. They follow the exits of Anthony Gordon and the likes of Nathan Broadhead, Sebastian Quirk and Joe Anderson in January.
What lies in store for the remaining starlets is yet to be seen. With a threadbare squad that needs depth, several players could become useful assets for first-team manager Sean Dyche to call upon. But with the pressure to get results likely to be intense for a third consecutive season, there is a danger that such opportunities may not arrive.
