- Everton Under-21s currently sit 18th in the Premier League 2 table.
- Top 16 in the Premier League 2 qualify for PL International Cup.
- Manchester United and Chelsea currently lead the rankings.
Everton Under-21s enjoyed a relatively successful campaign in the Premier League International Cup, after reaching the quarter-finals of the competition by finishing top of their group.
The side led by Paul Tait squared up to Borussia Dortmund in March but suffered a 2-0 defeat at Walton Hall Park, meaning their European journey was over.
But should the young Blues want to have another shot at the cup next season, currently, their fate is not in their own hands.
Everton need a favour from rivals if they want European football
After a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City, the Blues are left in 18th with one more game remaining in their league campaign.
Ipswich Town await Tait and his players as their season comes to a close at Goodison Park, but the likelihood of qualifying for the Premier League International Cup (PLIC) remains low.
With the Blues sitting two places below the qualification spots, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are placed above them, and with both sides yet to play each other, it is impossible for Everton to leapfrog into the top 16.
But the Toffees have one lifeline that could rescue a European spot for them.
In the current PLIC, Arsenal and Liverpool chose not to enter sides even though they achieved top 16 status in the 2024-25 season.
This meant Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion gained entry into the PLIC, after both finished 17th and 18th in last season’s Premier League 2.
The onus is still on Everton to win their final game and ensure they remain within touching distance of the top 16, but should a rival decide to pull their youth team from the PLIC, this could nicely play into the hands of the Toffees.
Premier League International Cup offers good experience for Everton’s academy
Following the news of Dean Rastrick’s appointment as academy director, Everton’s youth setup is in for an overhaul ahead of next season.
The opportunity to have their young players represent their club on the European stage would only help this process.
| Real Madrid | L (2-0) |
| PSV Eindhoven | W (3-2) |
| Monaco | W (2-1) |
| RB Leipzig | W (5-1) |
| Borussia Dortmund | L (2-0) |
The table above shows Everton’s results in the PLIC, but on top of some of the impressive displays, encountering some of Europe’s brightest talents only offers good exposure for their youth setup.
It remains to be seen whether European football will be on the Under-21s schedule for next season, but they will be praying a rival comes to rescue.
