Braiden Graham put on an absolute masterclass on Friday night as Everton U21s cruised to victory against Brentford.
The 18-year-old Everton prospect is the talk of the town, with David Moyes struggling to go a full press conference without being asked about him.
Friday evening offered the 63-year-old yet another look at Graham, with the Northern Irishman showcasing a trait that Moyes adores: versatility.
Braiden Graham has just done this days out from Man City… 🤩
Are you watching, David Moyes? 😬
With another two goals to his name and two assists against the Bees, Graham put on the perfect audition ahead of Monday’s team selection to face Manchester City.
Braiden Graham shines on the wing for Everton
Paul Tait has said Graham could not play up front for Everton in the Premier League due to the physical nature of men’s football.
That was evident in the opening 30 minutes at Walton Hall Park on Friday, with Brentford’s two rugged centre-backs giving Graham nothing to work with.
To Tait’s credit, he recognised this and switched Graham and Omari Benjamin; Graham then came alive out on the left-wing.
Who would you rather see in Monday’s squad to face Man City? 🫣
It did not take the 18-year-old long to whip in a stunning cross to pick out Luca Davis for Everton’s first of the night.
The youngster has it all when it comes to ability, with Graham pulling out another smart cross for Demi Akarakiri to poke home.
Graham was calmness personified as he sat down Brentford’s goalkeeper from the penalty spot and then doubled his tally, with a slightly fortunate second.
Brentford coaches summed up Graham’s attacking threat
At one point in the second-half, with Graham running at the visitors, the Brentford bench could be heard shouting: ‘Don’t let him inside’.
There was no stopping Graham as his right foot unpicked the Brentford defence that had stood so strong for the first half.
Tait has loved Graham’s relentless work ethic shown this season for the U21s and that was on display again on Friday evening.
There’s no hiding from the fact that Graham was not able to perform to his usual standards as the lone striker, but his versatility allowed him to find another avenue to explore.
Could David Moyes call-up Braiden Graham to face Manchester City?
The realistic answer is probably not. Moyes has admitted Graham needs to show more before he is called up to the senior side as an actual option.
Doing it at youth level and doing it in the Premier League are two hugely different things.
However, the big positive from Friday evening was Graham demonstrating how he does not only have to be an option at striker for Moyes.
His physicality has been a big talking point over recent months, but the likes of Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling both possess similar builds.
Granted, the pair have been exposed to a lot more minutes in the men’s game, but this may be a more realistic route into Moyes’ thinking.
The future is bright for Graham and no one can say he isn’t doing all he can under Tait to progress his career on Merseyside.
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