Everton coach tells young players to emulate Tom Cannon

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The Everton under-21s squad have been told to look to Tom Cannon for inspiration.

Tom Cannon left Everton in the recent summer transfer window. The 20-year-old striker joined Championship club Leicester City in a deal worth £7.5 million.

Prior to his exit from Goodison Park, though, Cannon was one of the most promising youngsters on the Everton books, having grown up in the Merseyside outfit’s academy system. He was even able to make three appearances for the senior side before moving on.

Cannon was often prolific for Everton’s under-21 side. He was particular impressive in the EFL Trophy, bagging five goals in five appearances in the competition during the 2022/23 campaign.

The current Everton under-21s side recently lost to Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Trophy. Manager of the youth side, Paul Tait, has told his players to aim to emulate Cannon. 

As quoted the The Liverpool Echo, Tait said, “we love this tournament because of what it does for the young players, it brings them on so much. I just used some of the lads from last season as an example for the younger boys tonight – the likes of Tom Cannon…really blossomed last season and it gives them the confidence to go toe-to-toe with older, more-experienced players.”

Everton may take chance on youth

There is certainly a pathway to first team football for Everton’s most promising youngsters. Given how Sean Dyche’s side have struggled so far this season, it is likely that the manager would embrace the opportunity to add fresh new blood and dynamism to his ranks if any of the club’s youth prospects are considered ready to make an impact at the highest level.

Dyche has shown a willingness to give talented a young players a chance to shine at Goodison Park. 21-year-old centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has broken into the Everton starting XI this season after impressing whilst on loan with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven last season.

However, if things don’t improve in terms of results for the Everton first-team quickly, then the manager may find he is increasingly tempted to lean on experienced players to try and guide the Toffees clear of a relegation battle.