Everton's announcement of a 32-man squad for their pre-season tour of the USA had fans wondering just how much game-time a few of the youngsters on the trip might be awarded.
Frank Lampard went some of the way to answering that at half-time of his side's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. The Blues might have been behind thanks to two quickfire goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, but you imagine it was always part of the manager's plan to give some younger talent a run-out.
Billy Crellin, Reece Welch, Lewis Warrington and Stanley Mills were all introduced to the fray at this juncture with Everton having struggled in the first period somewhat to keep up with their opponents. It wasn't an easy environment for them to step into, never mind the fact that this was just a pre-season match.
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But by the end of the game, Everton fans who had stayed up to watch their team would have no doubt been very content with how they had stepped up to the challenge at hand. And, arguably in a lot of cases, they'd looked much more comfortable than their senior counterparts who played in the first half.
Starting from the back, Crellin was certainly not called into action as much as Jordan Pickford had been, but his contributions were still crucial. In particular, the 22-year-old was well-positioned to burst out of his penalty area and stop what looked to be a dangerous Arsenal attack.
Mills was lining up at wing-back, a position that he played at times for the under-23s last season, but certainly not for the entire campaign. He's someone who's versatile, hungry, pacey and determined - and perhaps Lampard's post-match quotes sum up his display better than anyone else could.
The Blues boss remarked: "I thought he was good tonight. He's on the trip because of how well he trained and played at Finch Farm last week - and that's an important message to the young players at the club.
"If he can continue progressing, he can be part of the [first-team] squad this season. I see him as a right wing-back or maybe an eight, a right-sided central midfield player."
Mills certainly embodied the message that Lampard was attempting to instil and he repaid the faith from his manager quickly. Shortly after being introduced, he burst down the right flank and into the final third, putting a dangerous cross into the box that eventually led to Alex Iwobi striking a shot over the bar.
The 18-year-old was certainly tested defensively throughout his 45 minutes on the pitch, too, but he stood up to those tasks well whenever they were presented. As a first taste of senior football for the youngster, this was certainly an impressive one.
Elsewhere in the defence, Welch has been a pretty regular fixture in first-team training for some time now. He was regularly one of the most impressive players at U23 level throughout the 2021/22 campaign, and maybe it's time for him to start showing that a little more often with his senior team-mates.
He looked comfortable as soon as he took to the pitch in Baltimore against Arsenal. He made some well-timed tackles and interceptions, carried and distributed the ball well, and exuded an air of confidence which will no doubt stand him in very good stead in the future.
With Jarrad Branthwaite on his way to confirming a season-long loan move to PSV, perhaps there may be opportunities for Welch at centre-back as things stand. Or, maybe the plan is for his own temporary move. Either way it feels that first-team football at this stage is a must for his development.
And then there was Warrington, a player that many Evertonians were very excited to see this summer. After a promising first half to 2021/22 with the U23s, the midfielder took his talents to Tranmere Rovers for the second portion of the campaign - and by all accounts excelled even further.
Having signed a new contract earlier in the summer, many are beginning to wonder if this could be a great time to bring the 19-year-old into the senior fold on a more permanent basis. And the early signs from this match at least are promising.
In the first couple of minutes he showed his desire, sliding into a full-blooded tackle in the centre of the pitch to stop an Arsenal attack. He made some lovely passes on the turn across a variety of different distances, and was instantly on the move to find space and ask for the ball once again.
It might seem simple, but having a player with that confidence and assured ability in the centre of the pitch is something that Everton need in the future. Many will hope that he gets more opportunities to show off those qualities in later matches this summer.
In fact, that should be the case for all of the youngsters involved against Arsenal - and a couple that didn't make it onto the pitch this time around. Now is their chance to impress Lampard, and those given that will certainly have done on Saturday evening.
It might only be one pre-season fixture as things stand, but that could be the key to a bright future. Who knows?
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