Everton youngsters: Anthony Gordon leads the way
Anthony Gordon along with other Everton youngsters are likely to be included in the team against Wolves.
Anthony Gordon delivered another solid performance in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Southhampton at Goodison Park on Thursday. The next match will be a trip to Molineaux and Wolves on Sunday. With four matches coming in two weeks, Everton Manager Carlo Ancelotti said the compact schedule was causing some problems.
"“We’re going to have to make some changes. We don’t have enough time to completely recover. I have to take care of the line-up. I have to keep it fresh”"
Injuries in the midfield with Fabian Delph unlikely to feature against Wolves and Andre Gomes’ status unknown until Saturday; should provide an opportunity for some youngsters to get some minutes.
Central midfielder Beni Baningime and defender Jarrad Branthwaite have been on the expanded substitutes’ bench for every game since the restart and as the fixtures and injuries pile up it’s likely one or both of them will see game time.
Baningime made his first team debut back in 2017 and impressed in the Cariboa against Chelsea and made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Leicester City.
Since that season, Baningime has had issues with an ankle injury and a poor loan spell at Wigan, with the injury and Wigan’s relegation battle contributing. Still only 21, Beningame has an opportunity to show Ancelotti, he can provide the intensity the manager has said the team needs.
Two other youngsters, Dennis Adeniran and Tyler Onyango have been solid for the Under-23. Adeniran has already played in the Championship with Fulham before joining Everton on the last day the summer transfer window in 2017.
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However, an injury cut short his promising start. Adeniran, who is more an attacking influence than Beningame did return in 2018-19 to make some energetic performances, according to the club’s website. Adeniran, who started out as a striker at Fulham. has continued his strong performance for Unsworth this season.
Ball-winning midfielder Tyler Onyango has been an Evertonian since he was 8. He turned 17 in March of this year and has moved up from the Under-18s to Unsworth’s squad and as Everton have lacked tackling from the midfield, Ancelotti may take a chance on Onyango.
Ancelotti said he Mason Holgate’s status will be checked on Saturday and if he can’t go. It may mean a chance for Branthwaite, who turned 18 on June 27. Branthwaite played 11 times for League Two Carlisle before joining the Toffees this January
Seeing Tom Davis, Marcus Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin break into the first team after playing for the Under-23s made Everton attractive for him, Branthwaite told the Everton website.
Anthony Gordon can be added to the list of youngsters who have moved through the Everton ranks and it’s possible Baningime, Branthwaite or Onyango could be playing alongside before this season ends.
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The evolution of Anthony Gordon at Goodison Park is a testament that the youngsters should be trusted and given an opportunity to prove their potential.