The quality of their academy is vitally important at Everton and it seems there’s another real talent coming through the ranks.
19-year-old striker Ellis Simms is catching the eye in the Premier League 2.
Nobody has scored more than his eight goals from 11 matches, as per Transfermarkt.
He sits joint-top of the scoring charts along with Jack Stretton of Derby County and is having a very impressive season so far.
Simms has started every single league game for Everton’s Under 23s this season, and has only missed three minutes in total.
He’s scored in his two most recent outings, a 2-1 win over West Ham and a 2-2 draw with Brighton on Friday night.
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Simms has already caught the eye of those working in the academy, according to former Toffees goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.
He told HITC recently that Simms has everything it takes to succeed in the pro game.
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“Ellis Simms, centre forward,” said Martyn when asked who David Unsworth told him are the best young talents at the club.
“Natural goalscorer, still learning his craft, but he doesn’t snatch at chances. As happy scoring in the 90th minute, when you could snatch at it, for one so young – he’s a pretty cool finisher.
“He has all the attributes, he’s 6ft 1in, he’s got the attributes of a Calvert-Lewin, for instance.”
That’s high praise indeed and it seems Simms is progressing well at youth level. The next step is a senior debut, when the time is right.