Everton’s next Wayne Rooney has just 15 months left on his deal, David Moyes must take note
Everton have a remarkably promising young attacking prospect in their academy.
Jarrad Branthwaite aside, who didn’t join the Toffees until he was 18, Everton have had very few players rise through their youth academy and make an impact at senior level in recent years, though a lot has been down to the fact that there hasn’t been much room for risk.
But with the Merseysiders in a strong position in the Premier League with 12 games to go, we may start to see some flashes of the quality they have there.
And they have a very bright player who could break through sooner rather than later, and he is very similar to Wayne Rooney in the way that he plays the game.
Who is Everton’s next rising star?
From Rooney to the likes of Leon Osman and Antonee Robinson, Everton have had several quality players emerge from Finch Farm, many of whom have gone on to make something special of their careers.
And Braiden Graham may well prove to be the next one who can make that step up.
The 18-year-old attacker has been in fine scoring form for the Toffees’ Under-21 side this season, having found the back of the net 13 times in 21 appearances, while also having registered an assist.
It hasn’t just been this season either, with the teenager having registered 24 goal contributions in his 30 youth appearances prior to the current campaign.
Graham has spent most of his career so far as a striker, but has also played across various other attacking positions, much like Rooney when he was still finding his way on Merseyside.
The two share similar attributes in terms of their finishing habits, as well as the way they control the ball with their back to the goal.
Everton have had very few prospects make the jump to first team, but Graham has every chance of being the next one.
What is Braiden Graham’s contract situation?
While it’s important to look at his quality, it’s just as important to take note of his immediate future with Everton.
And with just over a year left on his deal at Finch Farm, there will be some doubts starting to creep in over that.
The teenager signed a two-year deal with the Toffees when he joined from Linfield back in 2025, but that will come to an end in the summer of 2027.
Given how much quality he has shown at youth level, he deserves a chance to showcase his worth under David Moyes, and unless that happens within the next six months, those doubts may also start to creep into his mind.
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