Unsworth tips Everton youngster for the very top
Everton have a long and fine tradition of bringing through top young talent, and right now they have one of the best Under-23s teams in the country.
Some of those have moved on to be involved with the senior side in recent years, such as Jonjoe Kenny – currently starring out on loan – and Tom Davies.
However, one who stepped up only to fall back to the second string is midfielder Beni Baningime.
The 21-year-old made his first team debut back in 2017, but injuries have stymied his progress, and he’s only just returned to U23s action.
David Unsworth, the U23s boss, still expects the youngster to make it to the pinnacle of the game, though.
“He was a bit rusty. That was his first game back after a week training and he just can’t seem to get a run of games,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“The problem is he’s got all the potential to be a top, top player. He just needs a break. He keeps getting injured at the wrong time. For a young player they need a sustained period of games and not getting injured to show what they’re best at.
“If Beni stays, if Beni goes on loan again, that’s not my decision. But whoever he plays for he’s a top-class young player.”
Is Unsworth right about Baningime’s potential?
When Baningime first broke through back in 2017 you certainly thought that this was a young man who’d have a long and successful career at Goodison Park.
However, injuries and constant changes of manager have seen him slip back to the U23s and make just one appearance on loan at Wigan Athletic last season.
Yet we know he has ability, he’s shown that before. If he can stay fit and have a solid loan spell in the Championship then he could yet deliver for the Blues.
In other Everton news, a former Premier League striker has ripped into a Toffees star for spitting his dummy out.