(Credit: Imago)

Daniel Davis

Tue 28 April 2026 12:10, UK

David Moyes was not for turning.

As Braiden Graham continued to light up Everton‘s academy, it appeared just a matter of time before he was rewarded with his first-team bow. Moyes, though, politely burst the 18-year-old’s bubble with an assessment that suggested the youngster’s wait will go on.

“Everybody wants good young players to come through, and I’m pleased that Braiden’s doing well,” said the Scot. “I think he’s got a bit to go before he’s at our level.

“I am really pleased, and if he does that, he will get more noticed and probably get more chances of being seen in pre-season than he would do now.”

Supporters are clamouring for Graham to be given an opportunity to shine at a higher level, and these shouts have become deafening. Still, though, Moyes is standing his ground.

Braiden Graham surely future Everton superstar

Lean and hungry, Everton won’t be able to keep a lid on Graham for much longer.

Earlier this month, he crowned himself the hero again after scoring four goals for the club’s Under-21s against Ipswich at Goodison Park. Those who took note, Moyes included, would have been blown away, such was the level of maturity in his display.

Then, the following week, the Northern Irishman plundered two more goals for the U-21s, this time in a 3-2 extra-time victory against Watford in the PDL play-offs. Deep inside stoppage time, with penalties looming, he powered home a header at the back post.

“Braiden was outstanding and did some excellent things,” said boss Paul Tait. “He just keeps going because he’s got that fire in his belly and the determination.”

That reference to “fire” perfectly encapsulates what Graham is all about. Blessed with enviable talent and a mentality that will surely see him rise to the very top, his tally for the campaign now stands at 23 goals in 32 matches, including four in four U-18s appearances.

Meanwhile, Thierno Barry had been delivering dismal performances in the first-team’s Merseyside derby defeat by Liverpool and late loss at West Ham. Patience is quickly running dry with the 23-year-old, who has been poor while stepping in for the absent Beto.

Barry will know that Gordon is now hammering on the door.

The youngster is understood to train regularly with the senior crop, and is gunning for their places. It is expected that this will, over time, ease his transition into Moyes’ set-up, although a concrete date has not been set for that step. It cannot be long, however.

So far, the closest Graham has come to making his first-team debut was when he was an unused substitute during the FA Cup defeat by Sunderland in January. He is unlikely to want to wait much longer, and Premier League rivals will be keeping a keen eye on his situation.

David Moyes must promote Graham – and soon

Therein lies the problem.

Moyes is determined to be patient. He certainly won’t blood Graham while his first-team still have European qualification to play for. But his public comments on the youngster suggest he is not yet satisfied he is ready to make the step up, despite his goal-laden displays.

“Braiden is doing well. We need him to build up his physicality and speed, all those things that come from stepping up to the Premier League,” was his verdict earlier this year.

It therefore cannot be ruled out that Graham is shipped out, likely on loan. There was no shortage of interest in January, multiple clubs having been keen to sign him. In the end, Everton didn’t send him out, deciding he would be best served staying at Finch Farm.

But it is clear he is far too good for that level.

He blossomed at a very young age, having become the youngest to make a senior appearance for Linfield’s first team aged just 15 years and 137 days. Graham then moved to Merseyside as a scholar, signing a professional deal just four months later.

Equipped with intelligent movement and an uncanny knack of finding space between the opponent’s backline and midfield, Graham is the real deal. As proven time and time again in the academy, he is also a natural goal scorer, which the first-team is sorely lacking.

It now falls to Moyes to give him the opportunities he deserves.

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