Five to watch: the young stars who could feature for Everton this season

Everton have a proud history of developing academy products into the first team.

Of the current squad, Tom Davies, Anthony Gordon and Jonjoe Kenny have all come through the Goodison Park youth system.

Meanwhile, youngsters Lewis Gibson and Nathan Broadhead are out on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland respectively.

We take a look at five youngsters who could be next to force their way into Rafa Benitez’s plans in the 2021-22 season.

Ellis Simms

The striker has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his time in the youth ranks for both the under-18s and under-23s.

After plundered eight goals in 12 games for David Unsworth's side in Premier League 2 during the first half of last season, Simms was loaned to Blackpool in January.

Despite it being his first taste of senior football, he thrived at Bloomfield Road. The 20-year-old scored 10 times in 25 appearances to help Neil Critchley's men achieve promotion from League One.

A groin injury forced Simms to miss the Seasiders’ play-offs campaign, though, and it sidelined him throughout pre-season.

It means the England under-20 international will be at Goodison until at least January and will be aiming to impress.

Simms’ current deal expires in June.

Lewis Dobbin

The Toffees are well stocked when it comes to upcoming centre-forwards.

Dobbin was handed his maiden professional contract in January 2020 - only a week after he'd turned 17.

The Stoke-born marksman thrived during pre-season for the under-23s. He netted hat-tricks against Warrington Rylands, Guiseley and Chorley before he was handed a run-out by Benitez against Manchester United.

Dobbin's promising progress has reportedly caught the attention of several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Tyler Onyango

Of the five players we’ve selected, Onyango is the only one who's been handed his first-team bow.

That came in a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fourth round in January when the 18-year-old was brought on with five minutes remaining.

Onyango's 2020-21 season was cut short by an ankle injury. However, he was still handed the Keith Tamlin Award – presented to a player for consistently attaining high standards of “excellence, attitude and application” during their time in the academy.

Onyango, who is an England under-17 international, is under contract until June 2023.

Kyle John

There was much debate among supporters about Everton's failure to bring a right-back in before last week's transfer deadline.

Those fears have been intensified after Seamus Coleman suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Jonjoe Kenny is next in line in terms of natural right-sided full-backs - and then it's John.

The 20-year-old HAS been at the club since he was six and was named on the bench seven times last season, although he's yet to make his debut.

John was handed a new two-year contract in June.

Einar Iversen

Everton aren't short of options in central midfield but Benitez could be looking towards the future if he handed Iversen a chance.

The Norwegian joined the Toffees from Stord IL in the summer of 2017 and linked up with the under-18s.

He was then rewarded with a three-year contract in 2019 after winning the prestigious Keith Tamlin Award.

Iversen, 20, registered two goals and two assists in 19 games for the under-23s last term.

He's also a Norway under-21 international.

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