‘The big boys have to play’ – Exclusive: Campbell delivers verdict on Everton youth chances
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell doesn’t believe that Carlo Ancelotti will give Everton youth players much of a chance this season.
The Toffees, like most clubs, face a congested schedule this year and that could mean that clubs dip into their academies to find back up for the first team.
But Campbell can’t see Ancelotti using the Everton academy as the first-team squad is too big and too strong.
Speaking to Goodison News, Campbell said, “I think Carlo Ancelotti knows what he has to do. Everton have to be very careful about blooding youngsters willy nilly, there’s going to be a right time to do it. Everton are a club on the up, they know they have to be challenging and trying to win something.
“If injuries come and you’ve got faith in the youngster then you put them in. But Everton’s squad is quite big now with all the additions they’ve made and the big boys have to play to challenge for trophies.
“I’m sure Ancelotti is keeping a good eye on those players but I don’t think the trust is quite there yet for him to play the youngsters in those competitions.”
Everton have preferred to sign big-name players for huge fees in recent years rather than looking at the quality they have in their academy.
But this had led to the Toffees having a fair amount of strength and depth which could serve them well as they look to do well in the domestic cups this season.
In September’s 5-2 win over League One side Fleetwood, Ancelotti named a side of first-team players including the likes of Jordan Pickford, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It seems as though the Italian was taking no risks when naming his side and his selections have paid off with the Toffees now in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Toffees fans would like to see more youth players in the first team but based on how Anthony Gordon has been used by Ancelotti this season, it seems doubtful that any youth player will force themselves into a side full of big-money players.
In other Everton news, one Toffees player had their worst outing in an Everton shirt in Saturday’s loss to Leeds.