Isaac Price decision may come back to haunt Everton as Goodison Park transfer news emerges
If Everton are to turn a corner and start looking towards a bright future, losing the likes of academy sensation Isaac Price isn’t the way to go about it.
Price, 19, is out of contract at Goodison Park at the end of the season and was spotted in Belgium with Standard Liege on Tuesday (16 May) ahead of a transfer to the club. [Voutbal Krant, 16 May]
It looks like a move to the Belgian outfit is now all but confirmed, but what does this say about Everton and the development path they are currently offering on Merseyside?
Earlier this season, the midfielder looked like he was on the brink of first-team football under previous manager Frank Lampard.
The academy player was labelled the “best player on the pitch” by Lampard during the Toffees’ goalless draw against Celtic in the Sydney Super Cup, with a string of encouraging performances following for the club during the mid-season hiatus for the Qatar World Cup.
However, after not featuring for a single minute of Premier League action under Sean Dyche, it seems like Price is ready to move to pastures greener away from Goodison Park.
It is ever-so-slightly understandable that Dyche hasn’t been willing to play Price due to the immense threat of Premier League relegation this term, but why not throw him on for the odd cameo appearance?
Over the last few months, what has there been to lose?
As has been seen with fellow academy star Tom Cannon over the past couple of months, a temporary move into the Championship can also be a brilliant stepping stone for young players – with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international now looking a shoo-in for first-team action at Everton next year.
Alongside the Preston loanee, Price was regarded as one of the top talents to emerge from the Goodison Park academy over the past few years, so his departure is a bitter pill to swallow.
Everton must ensure that losing young talent such as Price doesn’t become a common trend, as you can’t help but feel his departure could come back to haunt them in the coming years.