Everton teenager Ishe Samuels-Smith is now attracting the attention of three Premier League clubs this summer.
As per reports in the Daily Mail, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs have been following the progress of the young defender, with Chelsea now ‘weighing up an offer’.
What kind of offer is likely to be tabled, or indeed what Everton would want for the 17-year-old who has been compared to Leighton Baines, or if he is even for sale, remains unclear.
Samuels-Smith, who’s brother Odin also represents Everton at youth level, is considered one of the brightest young talents at the club.
Any comparison to Leighton Baines is high praise indeed, as the former Everton star was undoubtedly one of the best left-backs of his generation.
Indeed, with Baines occupying a role as Everton’s development coach, it would be interesting to watch Samuels-Smith progress at the Toffees.
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Everton must resist selling stars for the future such as Samuels-Smith
Everton’s left-back spot has become something of a priority in terms of recruitment this summer, with Ukrainian international Vitalii Mykolenko a downgrade compared to the likes of Leighton Baines and Lucas Digne.
Alongside strengthening the club’s attacking options, Sean Dyche listed the left-back position as an area that he would like to improve this summer.
With this in mind, Samuels-Smith could see a potential gateway to Everton’s first team in the near future, with the youngster consistently named in the senior squad last season, though he never made it onto the pitch.
It would be incredibly disappointing to lose such a prodigious and highly-thought-of young talent, but if a reasonable offer is made, Everton might be tempted to sell.
However, if the Blues have the next Leighton Baines on their books, they must do everything they can to keep hold of him this summer.