Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Fri 20 March 2026 16:10, UK

Everton youngster Braiden Graham is continuing to blossom in the academy this season, but he may be forced to wait a little while longer for his first-team breakthrough.

Graham recently started in two separate quarter-final ties for the Under-18s and 21s, and was unfortunate to find himself on the losing side on both occasions.

He first played 80 minutes for Keith Southern’s youngsters in their 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup on March 13, before completing the full 90 a step higher in the 2-0 Premier League International Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund five days later.

The Toffees have multiple talents in their youth set-up, but Graham is perhaps the most exciting of them all, and supporters will be keenly anticipating his impact at senior level.

However, as the first-team gears up for their showdown against Chelsea on Saturday, Graham will be forced to watch on from a distance as he continues his development.

Braiden Graham deserves big reputation at Everton

The 18-year-old played on the left wing against both Manchester City and Dortmund, and was a little unfortunate not to add to his already impressive goal tally.

He has netted 17 times in his 29 appearances this season while also registering two assists, and the diminutive prodigy is certainly one to watch out for.

Indeed, he has been described as the academy’s “golden boy” by the Liverpool Echo, and David Moyes has taken note, even if he hasn’t handed him his senior bow just yet.

Moyes named Graham on the bench for the 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in December, while he was an unused substitute for the FA Cup tie against Sunderland the following month.

The latter occasion has so far proven to be his last taste of the first-team.

Graham, though, isn’t just one for the future – he’s ready now.

He has already been blooded at senior level, having played for Linfield, while he has a burgeoning reputation on the international stage with Northern Ireland.

When will Graham make first-team debut?

Everton refused to sanction a loan move for Graham in January, and U-21s boss Paul Tait has predicted that he will be in and around the first-team next season.

A temporary move during the summer has not been ruled out, though.

The right switch would help him gain invaluable experience in the Football League and away from the spotlight, allowing him to return and stake his claim to start under Moyes.

Either way, he has a very bright future indeed at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and looks a nailed-on superstar for many years to come for the Merseyside outfit.