Everton have plenty of contracts that are running down, which Kevin Thelwell will be keen to ensure are sorted in the coming months.
Whether that be through offloading them for a fee in January, or accepting their free exit in the following summer, some cutthroat decisions must be made.
However, rather ironically, both he and Everton manager Sean Dyche are part of this group with a ticking time bomb attached to their tenure at Goodison Park.
That being said, these are all consummate professionals who will continue to give their all even in the face of such uncertainty.
That is abundantly clear through Thelwell’s excitement over one new contract.
Kevin Thelwell delighted after Everton contract news
Whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin has still not signed a new Everton contract, despite their ongoing faith in the striker to start most games, it seems the Toffees have had more success when convincing the stars of the future to stick around.
And, with how the club seems to be heading, especially under the new ownership of Dan Friedkin, that is likely a good thing.
The club confirmed just yesterday that they had just locked down one talented 17-year-old in Douglass Lukjanciks, prompting the following claims from their director of football.
Thelwell noted: ‘Douglass is a talented young goalkeeper with a lot of potential and we are very pleased he has extended his stay here with us at Everton.
‘His attributes have been recognised by England at Under-18 level and, with the excellent coaches we have within our Academy, along with the other fine keepers to learn from, we are confident Douglass will keep progressing at the Club.’
Who is Everton starlet Douglass Lukjanciks?
It is great news for the future of the club that someone so highly rated has chosen Everton as the place to continue their career, tying themselves down to a first professional contract.
Not only will this hopefully further Lukjanciks’ development, but it should also provide a marker for other youngsters to potentially convince them to follow in his footsteps.
After all, this is no ordinary goalkeeper.
In fact, as recently as May, it was stated that Manchester City wanted Lukjanciks, and were willing to pay up to £10m for the 16-year-old at the time.
It’s clear that, across the country, this shot-stopper has a sparkling future.
Hopefully, he can fulfil that potential on Merseyside, and provide an ample replacement for Jordan Pickford when the time is right.
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