Everton have been lacking real success from their academy set-up for a number of years now, but the times may be changing.
There is one clear success story at Everton in recent months, with Harrison Armstrong showing the potential to become a regular in the first team.
The 18-year-old is currently cutting his teeth in the Championship with Preston North End on a season-long loan deal.
However, David Moyes has admitted Everton’s academy players need to do more to catch his attention.
There is a clear lack of homegrown talent in Moyes’ current squad, with many fans waiting to see what happens with Armstrong in the January window.
But there are now two 16-year-olds who have burst onto the scene on Merseyside, and they simply cannot be ignored by U21 manager Paul Tait.
16-year-old Everton duo wow in U21s victory over PSV
Everton have already seen a number of their youngsters impress in the opening months of the 2025/26 campaign.
Keith Southern waxed lyrical about two Everton U16 players, who have been making a name for themselves at U21s level.
On Monday night, it was two 16-year-olds who came to the rescue of the U21s side against PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup.
Goodison Park hosted the youth side once again, with Malik Olayiwola and Shea Pita both finding the back of the net in the 3-2 win.
It was a stunning evening of football at the Old Lady as the club continue to show they may just be turning a corner with their academy.
Braiden Graham has also been impressing for Everton’s U21 side, but Moyes has admitted he is not in his immediate plans for the first team.
The 62-year-old demanded more from the club’s academy players and he is certainly receiving a positive response.
What Paul Tait said about Malik Olayiwola and Shea Pita
Moyes has kept a close eye on Armstrong at Preston this season, but he has admitted that he has not had that close of an eye on the academy set-up.
The 62-year-old has been focused on returning Everton to the top half of the Premier League table.
However, U21s manager, Tait, has regularly praised his side and he was left so impressed by both Pita and Olayiwola, who were stepping up a couple of age groups.
“The substitutes made a massive impact. They’ve been champing at the bit, doing well for the U18s,” said Tait.
“We can’t ignore them for Friday now, when they come on and play like that.”
The Blues face Monaco on Friday in another group stage game before they then play RB Leipzig after the turn of the year.
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