Everton under-23s coach David Unsworth has called for calm over the future of young Toffees prospects such as Anthony Gordon, who he insists will still have a role to play for the first team following an impressive display for the academy side on Sunday.
Gordon capped a fine individual display with an assist in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Southport over the weekend as fellow academy prospects Tyler Onyango and Ellis Simms found the net.
The second goal of the day stemmed from some impressive play from Gordon, who provided the assist, playing alongside fellow fringe first team prospects such as Niels Nkounkou and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Unsworth cautiously praised the young talent for his display, emphasising the role that getting a full 90 minutes can have in a player’s development – regardless of the level at which they are playing. He told the Liverpool Echo:
“[It’s] crucial [getting 90 minutes], but also his application and the way he adapted [was great].
“The way he went about his work and his quality on the ball was outstanding. He could have had a couple of goals.
“His work rate, his energy levels at the end were still right up there – he was still sprinting and running.
“He did a great job for the team, and that’s all you can ask when the first team players step down.
“They put a real shift in, because you know the quality’s there. I thought the three of them were outstanding.”
According to the Liverpool Echo, there is a sentiment that Gordon should be the man to fill the void left by the suspended Richarlison in the first team, though manager Carlo Ancelotti has preferred other options over the youngster.
Nevertheless, Unsworth is relaxed as he remains convinced that Gordon’s pathway to first team football remains clear. He added:
“I think Niels, Jarrad, Anthony – any young player who’s not playing is desperate to play, especially when you’re at Everton.
“I was the same, I was desperate to play every minute of every game.
“What we do know is that we’ve got really good young players, and sometimes you have to be a bit patient.
“I know we’re all in a rush these days to put our stamp and our mark on things, but the time will come.
“When the time comes, they’ve got to stay in the team, that’s the big thing. They’ve got to perform and stay in the team.
“They’re young lads in terms of elite players, international players. So young and there’s so much time.
“Their time will come.”
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“Their time will come” is a telling quote. That call for patience implies that Unsworth trusts the processes of the academy system and is keeping a calm head.
He is in no rush to risk the futures of youngsters by pressurising them or exposing them too early to first team affairs, and this approach should better nurture young prospects such as Gordon, Branthwaite and Nkounkou.
