Everton FC talking point: Who may follow Brendan Galloway from Academy to first teamThe Everton boss has cryptically spoken of there being four Academy players to be called-up for next season
Everton's Brendan Galloway in action with West Ham's Enner Valencia Everton's Brendan Galloway in action with West Ham's Enner Valencia
First it was Luke Garbutt on the south coast, then there was Tyias Browning in the derby and now it’s Brendan Galloway against West Ham – but who will be next?
Which of Everton’s talented crop of Academy youngsters will be given their Premier League debut by manager Roberto Martinez?
The Catalan proved once again that he is ready to give the Blues’ kids a chance, as 19-year-old Galloway was picked at left-back for the game with West Ham for his senior bow with the club.
It was expected that Garbutt would be given the chance to play in the absence of Leighton Baines and Bryan Oviedo but Martinez wanted to test the temperament of the gifted Galloway.
And the teenager’s first game in the famous royal blue shirt was a good one.
Sure, he was shaken off by Stewart Downing for West Ham’s goal but the former England winger has done that to far more experienced defenders than Galloway and otherwise, the young Blue was calm, composed and grew in confidence as the game wore on.
He also picked up a yellow card for good measure.
Browning’s performances have also been impressive when Martinez has chucked him in at the deep end this season and he and Galloway will be promoted to the first-team in time for August.
The Everton boss has cryptically spoken of there being four Academy players to be called-up for next season: Browning and Galloway are two, but who are the others?
It is likely that midfielders Ryan Ledson and Kieran Dowell will be given the nod.
Both played in Everton’s Europa League dead-rubber against Krasnodar in December and Martinez is priming them for big things at Goodison.
Ledson, from Fazakerley, and Ormskirk’s Dowell are both 17 but the faith Martinez has in them cannot be underplayed.
Their Premier League debuts may not arrive for at least another 12 months but fully expect to see their names on the matchday squad list at times next term.
But such is the strength of Everton’s Academy that there are several other youngsters pushing for their own top flight breakthrough.
Goalkeeper Russell Griffiths, midfielders George Green, Gethin Jones and Liam Walsh are highly thought of while Chris Long, out of contract this summer, played in that Krasnodar game and has scored for the Blues in pre-season.
Garbutt, Browning, Galloway and....take your pick.
By Phil Kirkbride / Echo
