Everton Under-21 youngsters impress again in Cup win

Several of the most promising talents in the Everton youth ranks impressed again last night as they defeated Mansfield in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Among them were Tom Cannon who scored the winner, Seb Quirk who made the pass for Cannon’s goal, Issac Price who was excellent in the midfield and Reece Welsh who superbly marshalled the Everton defence.

All these players have been in, or on the fringes of, the Toffees’ first-team squad recently and they all did their prospects of further involvement no harm with the performances they produced last night.

Cannon’s efforts and strike, is of particular importance given the Blues’ desperate struggles in front of goal so far this season.

Everton have again been strongly linked with a number of forwards over the last few weeks as the countdown towards the January transfer window continues.

While I think as I’m sure most Evertonians do, that the club must bring in at least two forwards in the January window, Cannon’s performances do represent a potentially welcome complication as the manager plots his New Year moves.

Of course, I’m not saying he should be starting in the Premier League, but it does appear as though the young striker might well have the ability and maturity to contribute on that stage.

Another youngster who continues to impress is Issac Price. The midfielder put in another strong all-round and assured performance in the Cup win.

And, although the Toffees’ have plenty of choices in the engine room, his emergence could also give Frank Lampard – who highlighted his excellence after the Australia trip – another option.

The other two Quirk and Welsh are likely to go out on loan in January, as might both Cannon (if the Blues’ bring in several strikers in January) and Price.

Even if all of them do, it is still positive to see these younger players continue to develop and perform on bigger stages.

The huge difficulties Everton have faced in the transfer window recently, together with the ongoing need to finance a new stadium, means that bringing through the best youth products more consistently does seem even more important to the future development of the team.