View: Everton’s Papa John’s Trophy clash a timely opportunity for Under-21s to impress Frank Lampard
Everton Under-21’s clash against Mansfield Town in the Papa John’s Trophy is the perfect opportunity for several players to put their hands up for promotion to Frank Lampard’s first-team squad.
The young Blues welcome the League Two outfit to the Grand Old Lady on Wednesday evening (30 November) as they look to progress to the last 16 of the competition – in which they have impressed so far.
Although coming up against players who ply their trade in the football league every week, Everton’s youngsters secured their qualification as Northern Group A winners in emphatic style after running away 6-0 victors against Hartlepool.
With the likes of Stanley Mills, Isaac Price, Tom Cannon, Reece Walsh and Billy Crelin all being called up by Lampard during the first-team tour of Australia and participation in the Sydney Super Cup – this tie presents another opportunity to impress The Toffees boss.
In particular, the nature of Price’s performances down under would have put himself in the mix for a call-up to the first team, with Lampard naming the 19-year-old as his side’s “best player on the pitch” during their goalless draw against Celtic.
With Everton’s midfield severely under-performing prior to the World Cup break and James Garner falling foul to a back injury, the door has been left ajar for Price and this Under-21s side to barge down on Wednesday night.
Another player Lampard will be watching with eagle eyes is free-scoring striker Cannon, who has been in magnificent form for the Under-21s this season and opened his account for the first team with a tap-in against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Against a Mansfield side who are eighth in League Two and just two points off the playoffs, the Irishman will need to be at his best to break down a stubborn and well-organised back four.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still on the sidelines and not expected to return till the festive period, this is a huge opportunity for Cannon to show Lampard that he is a better alternative than Neal Maupay in his starting XI.
The Blues Under-21s boss Paul Tait confirmed that those players who travelled to Australia have returned to the squad and are chomping at the bit for game-time against Mansfield.
This tie comes at the perfect time for these youngsters to plant themselves firmly in Lampard’s plans during the Premier League winter break.