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Everton vs. Salford City: Which youngsters could play

By Paul Conatzer

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton and Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on July 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton and Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on July 26, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Joseph Olowu of Arsenal battles for possession with Ellis Simms of Everton during the Premier League 2 match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on August 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images) /

While Niels Nkounkou is an almost guaranteed starter, Ellis Simms may get some minutes.

Another teenager, Niels Nkounkou could well start at left-back. The 19-year-old Frenchman joined Everton this summer from Marseille. The under-19 was expected to spend his first season at Everton as part of the under-23 squad. However, the retirement of Leighton Baines played a role in his moving up to the first team squad.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Nkounkou’s promotion is a temporary move to give Everton more time to buy a replacement for Baines, who turned down an offer of another one-year contract to retire and join the Everton back-room team.

Trending. Forget Wilfried Zaha, Everton can sign this 11 goal attacking gem for just £18 million. light

Niels Nkounkou played well in his appearances in Everton’s two pre-season matches. It might be time for teenage forward Ellis Sims to get some minutes with the first team. He won’t start but he may well come on a substitute.

Simms was on the bench after the lockdown as Ancelotti took advantage of the expanded substitutes rule, but he didn’t get on the pitch. The buzz around Simms has been growing and according to The Athletic, Simms’ all-around game has been improving to go with clinical finishing (8 goals in 15 under-23 matches last season.)

Moise Kean, who is really a youngster himself, will start as the centre-forward, but Ancelotti may well be tempted to give Simms his first chance with the first team as a sub tonight.

Next. Everton predicted XI vs. Salford City: Moise Kean starts, James Rodriguez on the bench. dark

What do you think, which youngsters will play for Everton tonight?

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