- Everton U21s had a disappointing season but also some standout performers.
- Braiden Graham and George Pickford have been two notable names.
- The pair have just been nominated for PL2’s Player of the Season.
Everton U21 ended their PL2 campaign 18th in the league with seven wins from 20 matches.
It was a season filled with ups and downs, but their side still featured some exciting prospects.
Braiden Graham was a key talisman up top, and at the other end, George Pickford was a fine shot stopper in between the sticks.
After numerous fine performances, they have recently received high acclaim from PL2.
Braiden Graham and George Pickford nominated for Player of the Season
PL2 have just announced their nominations for Player of the Season, which features both Graham and Pickford.
Everton and Chelsea are the only sides to have more than two nominations as the Toffees seek to have a PL2 POTS for the first time in their history.
Graham was the Blues’ key man up top this season after bagging 12 goals and two assists in his debut PL2 season.
The Northern Irishman is also one of two 18-year-olds to be put up for a nomination, with Shumaira Mheuka from Chelsea being the other.
Whereas Pickford – the only goalkeeper to be nominated – proved to be a wall in net for the Toffees, as he amassed six clean sheets and a plethora of magnificent saves.
The 19-year-old’s performances were enough to warrant National League North side Southport, turn to the services of the goalkeeper, where he featured in 10 matches for the Sandgrounders.
Exciting future ahead for Everton’s youth
To have two players nominated for POTS is a testament to the Everton Academy setup.
Graham entered this campaign as quite a raw prospect but has since gotten up to speed quickly and has cropped in conversations about a potential first team debut.
It is also promising to see Pickford excel at youth level, yet show a willingness to play non-league senior football, where he can get to grips with the heightened physicality.
Paul Tait has been with Everton since 2017, where he was originally appointed as U18 manager, and in 2022 became boss of the U21s.
In that time, he has seen a multitude of talent work their way through the ranks, and his current two prospects, Graham and Pickford, have a real chance of becoming heroes at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
