Former Everton youngster already being flogged by Chelsea as surprise £5m transfer close

Add as preferred source on Google

A number of youngsters have decided to leave Everton’s academy for new pastures in recent years.

Thierry Small decided to leave Everton for Southampton in 2021 despite becoming their youngest ever senior player.

Jayden Lienou left for Manchester City last year and is now about to complete a £500,000 move to Leeds United.

Lienou, 17, is a highly-rated left-back and represents Wales at youth level, so he could be one the club feel got away in the coming years.

Another talented teenager they had on their books, however, is about to be flogged by Chelsea just two years after joining.

• READ MORE: Everton on alert as Championship striker who’s one of the ‘top 10 talents in Europe’ changes agent

Former Everton youngster Ishe Samuels-Smith about to be sold by Chelsea

Ishe Samuels-Smith was dubbed ‘one of England’s brightest prospects’ during his time at Everton but then-manager Sean Dyche couldn’t persuade him to stay.

Samuels-Smith ultimately joined Chelsea in a £4m transfer during the summer of 2023, which at the time was considered a major coup for the West Londoners.

However, just two years on, the 18-year-old is now closing in on a £5m move to French outfit RC Strasbourg.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who claim Chelsea’s sister club are in advanced talks to sign the former Everton teenager.

Samuels-Smith leaves without a senior appearance for Chelsea.

Everton’s academy set to be revolutionised

Everton’s academy was branded a ‘disgrace’ by a source close to the club back in February, with very few local talents on the books.

It emerged that the club were only employing around 40 scouts at grassroots level, having previously had 300 during David Moyes’ first reign.

As such, the Friedkins made the academy a priority project and have been working tirelessly over the last few months to improve the set-up.

Highly-rated Nick Cox has joined Everton from Manchester United and he will help to lead the academy recruitment and pathway to the first-team.

So, moving forward, Everton should be in a much healthier place to retain their best talents.