Everton Under-18s’ Mini Merseyside derby vital for players’ futures
This Saturday (26th February) isn’t just a big day for the Everton senior team who host Premier League leaders Manchester City at Goodison Park.
The potential next generation of Toffees stars have their biggest game of the season as they welcome city rivals Liverpool to Finch Farm.
Touted as the ‘Mini Merseyside derby’ it is anticipated to be a hotly-contested game and that is exactly what Frank Lampard will want to see.
He might have his focus firmly on the evening kick-off but the Everton boss could do with attending the Under-18s game to see what he has coming through at Goodison Park.
Lampard will want to see who is up for the fight and willing to put their body on the line for the club and even in an academy game, it is just as important as the senior level.
The youngsters have a point to prove after the Reds humiliated them 4-0 in the reverse fixture in October.
Oakley Cannonier, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic Maquieira scored the goals and you’d think a similar scoreline would be unacceptable for the new boss.
It’s a lot of pressure to put on a group of teenagers so early in their footballing careers but it’s absolutely necessary.
If they can’t handle the pressure of a Merseyside derby in youth football, then they have no chance of being able to cope at senior level and Everton should cut them out as soon as possible.
On the flip side, if they stand up to the challenge and take on the Reds head-on, Lampard will be more inclined to give them more chances and they come become the next homegrown star shining in the Premier League in the future.
In other Everton news, the club have readied a plan if one of their star players asks to leave in the summer.
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