Why Everton's Academy continues to be an example to the restRoyal Blue on the Everton factory line
Matthew Pennington is just one of Everton's recent academy success stories
Ahead of last week’s mini-derby, it was David Unsworth who proclaimed Everton’s academy as unrivalled in the country.
To those who are strangers at Finch Farm, it may have seemed somewhat of a brash statement.
But Unsworth was not filling the air with hollow sentiments, the under-21s coach believes that Everton offer the very best pathway into first-team football.
Ultimately, the Academy’s work will be judged on how many of their players make it into Roberto Martinez’s team.
Matthew Pennington, an accomplished young defender from Warrington and hardened by a season on loan at Coventry, was the latest player to add weight to Unsworth’s words this week.
The 20-year-old was Everton’s best player in a first-half at Barnsley, where positives were woefully thin on the ground, and can consider his substitution at half-time unfortunate, but tactically important.
Pennington is a perfect example of what Unsworth was talking about.
Everton, Martinez, Joe Royle and he have crafted a development plan that would leave the defender heading into this season ready and able to do a job for the senior side.
His chances will remain limited in the Premier League and he may yet go back out on loan, but Pennington’s career looks to be heading in only one direction after signing a new three -year deal with the club in the summer.
Pennington was a notable omission from the latest England squad announcements at youth level.
Everton v Liverpool Under 21's 'mini-derby' match action from Haig Avenue/Merseyrail Community Stadium, Southport. Pictured: Antonee Robinson.
Gareth Southgate’s u-21 squad, which includes Brendan Galloway, is packed with talented defenders but Pennington, who has character building spells in League One and Two to put alongside nine years at the Academy, has to be knocking on the door.
But his omission appears to be an anomaly given that Everton are well represented from u-18 level upwards.
Everton v Liverpool Under 21's. Tom Davies brings the scores level late in the game.
Ross Barkley and John Stones are sure to be named in Roy Hodgson’s senior squad, alongside Phil Jagielka on Sunday to create another healthy Everton presence in the Three Lions’ set-up.
Galloway has made the u-21s, Luke Garbutt would have if not injured, while only Manchester City have more players in England’s u-20s squad than the Blues.
Arsenal's Hector Bellerin in action with Everton's Luke Garbutt
Chelsea, on the back of their FA Youth Cup winning crop, have four players in the u-19s squad but Everton are joint second with two.
And the same applies at u-18 level with only Arsenal boast a greater presence than the Blues.
Man City may have bankrolled a complete revamped their academy structure, Chelsea might have won the Youth Cup and Southampton continue to be held up as innovators in the field, but Everton are among the very best.
Just ask Unsy.
Chinese stars shine at Finch FarmEverton recently played host to two touring squads of some of the best young elite footballers from China.
Invited from the youth academies of six of the top teams in the Chinese Super League, the Chang’an Ford CSL Rising Stars were put through an arduous selection process in order to participate in a two week elite training program in the UK.
Tour manager Eugene Zhu said “This program is about raising the standard of our best young players and it’s been a great experience for our boys to visit a club of the stature of Everton.
"We would like to thank the Club for their hospitality and hopefully we can collaborate more in the future”
Liv Echo
