Guardian journalist raves about Everton starlet Isha Samuels-Smith who could follow in footsteps of Leighton Baines
The Guardian’s ‘Next Generation’ report highlighted Everton youngster Isha Samuels-Smith as the most exciting scholar at Goodison Park.
The report outlined the best youngsters at each Premier League club born between 1 September 2005 and 31 August 2006, with Samuels-Smith making the cut for Everton.
The 16-year-old plies his trade in defence and is suited to both centre-back and left-back.
Journalist Andy Hunter, who works as a Merseyside football correspondent, was in charge of delivering his verdict on Samuels-Smith.
Hunter’s assessment for The Guardian read: “An athletic, left-footed defender who is equally composed at full-back or centre-back.
“The 16-year-old has impressive technical qualities and is very composed offensively and defensively. He is comfortable stepping into space with the ball and has an excellent passing range.
“Everton’s coaches consider him an exciting prospect who could mature into a dominant and robust defender.
“Has already been called up for training with the first team where coach Ashley Cole, and professional development coach Leighton Baines, offer the perfect education for a player in his position.”
The perfect understudy
Samuels-Smith couldn’t ask for much better mentors at Everton. Cole and Baines are two of the best left-backs ever witnessed in the Premier League, and they’ll teach him every trick of the trade between them.
Being highlighted as the club’s most promising youngster is sure to add a lot of pressure to Samuels-Smith’s progression in the Everton youth setup, but he has good coaches around him to keep him focused and enjoying football.
Frank Lampard has already shown his trust in the youth at Everton by transforming Anthony Gordon from an academy prospect to a £60million-rated star.
Gordon’s rise to fame should be motivation for all at Finch Farm wanting to break into the first team, and Lampard has already shown that it’s possible to catch his eye in training.
If Samuels-Smith is already in first-team training, then it means Lampard has already spotted his talent, and he simply needs to keep working and progressing before he is eventually given an opportunity to shine.