Everton Youth Teams Thread

[catcherintherye]

I make it 5 or 6 schoolboys in the squad today, which is very impressive, however you look at it.

 

[Zatara]

He really does. At times watching him I thought it was Mina. Looks approaching Michael Keane height and is still only 17.

I know theres been a lot of talk about Small, and to a degree Onyango, but on the youth cup games I watched Welch was the standout to me. He looked VVD like stylistically, in that he was just too big and strong for opponents. I'm not saying hes as good. VVD is VVD against men at the top level, Welch only at u18, but it's a comparison.

While it's only a short training video, I have the same feeling I had when seeing Brainthwaite last year from some clips-notably I could see him getting some action (as Brainthwaite did). You throw in the size and power of the defender, and him being left sided and it's a lot of boxes ticked.

The big thing for me watching Welch, is he has a real calmness when playing. He stands upright when defending and holds his body in a great position. Again VVD does this. Michael Keans doesnt and theres a clip of him being turned inside out. Welch is just very calm. Theres no mad rash decisions, he stands tall and is very much saying to the forwards "come on then, you beat me".

He ticks a lot of boxes. Hes big, looks to be getting more powerful, technically takes up good positions, is quick and comfortable on the ball and looks ok playing left CB. Great to see him doing well.

On a slight aside, Danny Mills lad Stanley has had a big jump forward. Last year he wasnt even in the 18s team, and now training with the 1st team. The big thing is, he has also shot up. Looks about 6 ft/6 ft 1 now. Was probably 5 ft 6/7 last season. Amazing how growing 6 inches makes such a big difference and looks to be kicking on which is good.

How far off being a 4th choice for the first team do you think Welch is?

 

[catcherintherye]

How far off being a 4th choice for the first team do you think Welch is?

It's quite a difficult question to answer, as you're not seeing him training every day etc.

Given who we have currently, and it probably being the strongest area of the pitch, I'd say a little way. Brainthwaite is much closer and 18 months older. So I'd say maybe 18 months at least.

 

[Nymzee]

It's quite a difficult question to answer, as you're not seeing him training every day etc.

Given who we have currently, and it probably being the strongest area of the pitch, I'd say a little way. Brainthwaite is much closer and 18 months older. So I'd say maybe 18 months at least.

Miles off is the answer you were looking for.

 

[hirons11]

Well obviously but they aren't bulking up whatsoever.

I‘m no expert in physiology but I’d suggest it would be quite sensible to let them finishing the natural growing process before working on building body mass/muscle

 

[Nymzee]

I‘m no expert in physiology but I’d suggest it would be quite sensible to let them finishing the natural growing process before working on building body mass/muscle

At 17/18 I think it’s pretty safe for them to start doing some chest presses mate. They’re built like drain pipes. Why do you think people like Ellis Simms, DCL and Brewster had so much joy at this level?

 

[hirons11]

At 17/18 I think it’s pretty safe for them to start doing some chest presses mate. They’re built like drain pipes. Why do you think people like Ellis Simms, DCL and Brewster had so much joy at this level?

Yep, I‘m sure there’s a balance to be found for sure. Just saying going too far could cause more harm than good in the long term.

 

[catcherintherye]

Miles off is the answer you were looking for.

Yes. I am trying to be as diplomatic as possible.

It's not a kop out at all (though may sound like one) but it's very difficult to predict that final stage for a couple of reasons really. Firstly you see the player much less playing for the 18's/23's so you can't use your own judgement as much (he is training with the 1st team which you just don't see). Also chat around the player will tend to drop a bit. It is a final hurdle and it's probably the hardest to predict.

The ones that come through tend to get given a chance and take to it. Lots either don't get that chance, or ultimately don't take it at that moment.

Welch ticks a lot of boxes. He and Dobbin are the 2 I watch with most interest, behind them you had Small, Onyango and Whittaker who all look good prospects (though Small has left).

I like Welch, but 4th choice centre back is a big ask. You'd be asking me to predict us selling at least 1 CB, factoring in the development of Brainthwaite and even Gibson before we even looked at Welch. There's a lot of variables.

 

[catcherintherye]

At 17/18 I think it’s pretty safe for them to start doing some chest presses mate. They’re built like drain pipes. Why do you think people like Ellis Simms, DCL and Brewster had so much joy at this level?

Did DCL have enormous joy at 18's and 23's level?

 

[Nymzee]

Did DCL have enormous joy at 18's and 23's level?

4 goals, 2 assists in 9 I think but he was man against boys down there. Big lads against weak defenders.

 

[catcherintherye]

4 goals, 2 assists in 9 I think but he was man against boys down there. Big lads against weak defenders.

I agree with your broader point, you want powerful players. You do have to be careful though, if they are still growing upwards. But yes, you look at someone like Welch, who is still growing, and Onyango, and physicality will be a bit part of their games, and at some point gym work will start to become important.

 

[Nymzee]

I agree with your broader point, you want powerful players. You do have to be careful though, if they are still growing upwards. But yes, you look at someone like Welch, who is still growing, and Onyango, and physicality will be a bit part of their games, and at some point gym work will start to become important.

I mean they may do but if Feeney, Anderson & Astley are anything to go by it's not something that's targeted which is a shame as I just don't see how you can make it at the top level without that physicality unless you're truly exceptional in every other aspect.

It's why for me Branthwaite has natural advantage and to a lesser degree Gibson did because they're bulky. I mean we can see it in the PL with Ben White can't we.

 

[BlueStevie35]

Feel for young lads playing at U18 level, some of the score lines that happen are demoralisingly insane. Just yesterday alone you had Norwich ship 10 at Villa, Chelsea battering Spurs 7-2, Southampton doing the same to Birmingham, the RS putting 5 past United away and 2019 champions Derby conceding 6 at home to Blackburn

 

[messymascot]

I always think that the club fails in getting players PL ready and it might well be due to size. When you looked at Onyango last season he looked massive when playing in the u18s but when he got on against Sheffield Wednesday he looked really small. Hopefully he bulks up a bit more as one of his main advantages was his size. I can only think of Rooney and Barkley who had the physicality required the rest of our young players have always been light weight. I'm definitely in favour of bulking a few players up as the game has changed. Skill is still useful but strength and athleticism are even more important.

 

[catcherintherye]

I mean they may do but if Feeney, Anderson & Astley are anything to go by it's not something that's targeted which is a shame as I just don't see how you can make it at the top level without that physicality unless you're truly exceptional in every other aspect.

It's why for me Branthwaite has natural advantage and to a lesser degree Gibson did because they're bulky. I mean we can see it in the PL with Ben White can't we.

Of course. A lot of this is natural though, as you say. I think you have to work with your body, but you can see a lad like Astley is just not going to have the size and strength of a Welch.