Stanley Mills again stood out for Everton Under-21s in their Mini Merseyside Derby against Liverpool but the teenager might also possess a valuable commodity that could prove a valuable weapon in the Blues senior side’s bid to remain in the Premier League.
Fresh from sitting on the bench during the 3-1 home defeat to Fulham, Mills coolly struck his 13th goal in 18 games for Everton’s second string this term in their 1-1 draw at Southport’s Haig Avenue on Sunday. He’s not even a striker and as U21s boss Paul Tait pointed out – the sublime finish wasn’t even with his strongest foot.
Such a poacher’s instinct can be invaluable, especially for an Everton team that has netted just 24 times in 31 matches, the lowest total in the English football pyramid this term. It was a shame for the Blues that his team-mates were far less clinical as they spurned a series of big chances to extend their lead before eventually being forced to share the spoils with their local rivals but among the group – and with director of football Kevin Thelwell watching on as usual – Mills stood out as the one youngster who looks primed right now to take a step up.
Having a player with an eye for a goal – especially one coming from deeper – can be a potent weapon in the armoury of any team (the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure remains the only man to have netted more than once under Sean Dyche) and while former Goodison Park fans’ favourite Tim Cahill was never one of the game’s most-polished midfielders, his handy knack of popping up in important moments ensured he was a mainstay of David Moyes’ Everton teams for eight seasons. The Blues have had plenty of youthful goalscorers throughout the Premier League era and given that Mills will be 20 in October, he’s not exactly a footballing baby.
Indeed, he wouldn’t even make the top 10 youngest Everton Premier League goalscorers but one man who ranks fourth on that list, Michael Ball, has already championed his cause. Back in February, Ball – who netted his first Blues goal against Arsenal at the tender age of just 17 years and 360 days – said in his ECHO column: “Surely the unknown quantity of Mills must be an option that can ask questions of the opposition because they won’t know much about him. He can dribble with the ball and take full-backs on but maybe there’s an option there, even if he needs to knock on the manager’s door and ask what more does he need to be doing to get into the team.”
After Mills’ latest outing, Dyche might need to prepare himself for a few taps and a turning of the handle on the entrance to his Finch Farm office. Given that Thelwell himself is based in the room next door, the youngster might even have an influential ally popping in to see the gaffer too, offering a glowing reference on his behalf.
