Everton manager Roberto Martinez has praised the development of the under-18’s team, as they continue their impressive form and sit top of the table.
The team beat Derby County last week, with Liam Walsh scoring a goal from the half-way line. Everton overtook Manchester City at the top, as they were held 1-1 by Liverpool.
Martinez has spoke in glowing terms about Everton’s youth before, saying that the Toffeemen have a golden generation of talent on their hands.
Everton’s academy is one of the best in the country and has groomed a number of Premier League stars, including Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and everyone’s favourite moody Nigerian, Victor Anichebe.
The starlets featured heavily in Everton’s pre-season schedule and a few even got a taste of European action last year as Martinez pitted his youngsters against Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League group stages.
Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Martinez expressed just how happy he is with the development of the squad:
I am really excited,
Not just because they are a group of players who are competing in their league but also because they are a group of players who have been moved up to the 21s and accelerated in their development.
We keep a real focus on their individual programmes but when you see them performing as a team, against teams that work really well with their youngsters, it is really impressive what they are achieving at the moment.
It is very important to have good players in the squad but even more exciting to have youngsters of the quality we have, underneath growing and seeing where they can take us.
Martinez also spoke of Liam Walsh’s goal, after the youngster was invited to train with the first team yesterday:
The vision of Liam is quite special and he is a midfielder who has that type of vision, but it is executing it when you have the option and being arrogant enough to think you can score from that position.
We always encourage the players to be free to enjoy themselves and be creative and, clearly, when you have players like Liam Walsh they can produce moments like that.
The team faces off against Manchester United tomorrow morning and will be hoping to continue their form and impress the gaffer.
