Connolly and Dowell to be offered new deals
Callum Connolly and Kieran Dowell are set to be offered new long-term deals, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The news comes just a day after it being reported that Tom Davies was being offered a new contract as Everton look to build for the future.
Dowell signed his first professional contract last year back in March, whilst Connolly, the versatile defender, signed his last summer. Now, Connolly and Dowell are set to be offered deals to extend their stay after next summer.The youngsters, like Davies, both made their first-team debuts this season, staking real claims to be included more frequently next season.
Everton are expected to hold talks with the younger players who broke into the first team from the crop of talented players from Finch Farm.
We saw Connolly make his debut in April – when an injured Seamus Coleman was replaced by the youngster – coming on in the 54th minute as The Blues drew 1-1 with Southampton. It was two weeks later where we saw Dowell’s emergence into the first team, as the 18-year-old replaced Ross Barkley late on. He appeared again, starting for Everton as they beat relegated Norwich City and won 3-0 on the final day, before being subbed off in the second half.
Dowell, along with Davies, was highly praised for his performance on the day, for his link-up play and calmness on the ball.
David Unsworth, who took temporary charge of the last game of the season, said:
I think there is a goldmine here with the young players – there are maybe eight or nine who could be ready for the first-team squad over the next year. That’s the challenge of the manager, can he blend established players with the unbelievable young talent we have? Their pedigree is the highest level. They’ve played for England together through the different age groups.