Evertons youth set up this season has spent £15m........... They spend money on lads at 18/19 years old who have 6 months to a year of developing to do to be ready for the first team. That said, think of the other 40 players in their youth development who will never play for the first team. In fact our very own U23s have had 3 Everton players in on trial over the last few weeks who have been very very poor.
What SUFC has done is sweep the board of players who will never make the transition to senior football. CW has only given players pro contracts if he sees a future benefit to his long term plans for the club.
For every 40 Everton young professionals we have Semple, Slater, Hallam, Graham, Ty Smith, Gilmoor, Jake Bennet, Brooks, Horatio Hirst.
These players are 16/17/18 years old playing U23s football. These lads will train with the first team every now and then, play with the 23s and go out on loan when the time is right. All with a view to being given a chance to be in our first team squad. Only when CW thinks they are ready and only if they are good enough. Young Semple was asked to go on loan this season to the conference at 17 years old. CW thought it was too early so he stayed with our 23s.
Some of these lads could be ready next season, some the season after, some may not be ready until they are 22 years old. Apart from the natural superstars, young players develop at different ages. If one is ready at 18 years old it doesn't necessarily mean he will be a bigger asset to one who will be ready at 21 years old.
This season has seen our youngsters progress nicely whilst our first team has dealt with the MOST important thing in getting out of this league.
I actually don't think we should see any youngsters chucked in before the end of the season whether we are up with a couple of games to go. CW has made it clear his first team squad is a close unit. He will want them to have a chance to play games without the pressure of the 44 game previously played.
As a big 18s, 23s watcher i genuinely think we have the best batch of youngsters coming through for many years. Lets give them the time and patience to become important players of our clubs future.