‘Got to build on that’ – Exclusive: Campbell issues warning to young Everton stars
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell has claimed that Thierry Small and Tyler Onyango have to build on their Everton debuts after coming on against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
Small became the Blues’ youngest ever player when he came on alongside Onyango in the 3-0 win over the Owls in the FA Cup.
Campbell believes this accolade will count for nothing if the pair don’t build on their debuts and continue to push for first-team minutes.
Speaking to Goodison News, Campbell said, “Small was the youngest player to ever play for Everton which is a fantastic achievement.
“Well done to the club and Ancelotti for giving him the opportunity. Now the young man has got to build on that hasn’t he?
“The two youngsters that came on, they’ve had a taste. Now it’s a matter of building on it. History has been made, yet again, another youngster coming through the ranks.
“But, it’s nothing if you don’t build on it.”
It remains to be seen if the pair will be given any more first-team opportunities this season with the Toffees looking to secure a Champions League spot.
If games are safe with 10 minutes to play you could see one of them getting a runout but if there are narrow games that hang in the balance it is hard to see Carlo Ancelotti bringing on a player with limited first-team knowledge.
Whether they get more minutes or not, it is clear that Onyango and Small have big futures at Goodison Park and we can’t wait to see how they will develop.
Small especially is only 16.
If he is getting first-team minutes now, then the sky is surely the limit when it comes to his development?
Maybe next season we will see both of these players really pushing hard for first-team minutes.
In other Everton news, this is how we predict the Blues will line up against Newcastle United this weekend.