Everton starlet Charlie Whitaker ‘sensational’ player – David Unsworth
Everton Under-23s may have lost against Blackburn Rovers on Monday night but there was some good that came from the game.
That was the return of 18-year-old attacker Charlie Whitaker after spending three months on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Sheffield United in January.
He’s scored five times in 12 matches this season for David Unsworth’s Under-23s having managed to net five in five last season at the same level.
“I’ve watched Charlie for a number of years and we always knew he had the quality in flashes,” Unsworth said of Whitaker, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“He has played out wide, he has played up-front….but we have tried to play him as a second striker, not a number 10, a second-striker because his game is naturally dropping into spaces where you want a number 10.
“We have tried to get someone up there with him and he has been sensational. He is a great trainer, great to work with and a great lad.”
Patience
Let’s not got too excited about his return just yet, it was still his first game in months and he managed 70 minutes before being subbed off.
He definitely has the talent within him to eventually become a feature in the first team at Goodison Park but it is still far too soon to be considering such a jump.
Developing players can be a very difficult tightrope to walk for managers and their coaching staff with each individual entirely different from the other.
Next season might be when the Toffees look to loan Whitaker out to the Football League for some senior football experience, especially if they stay in the Premier League.
Frank Lampard might have an idea already in his head for what is best for the teenager but as long as we all let him do his thing without putting too much pressure upon his shoulders, he should be one who wears the famous blue in the next couple of years.
In other Everton news, the club are eyeing a move for this £8million-rated defender if they stay up this season.
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