Sean Dyche could now hand Everton teenager his first-ever start v Crystal Palace

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The FA Cup often presents opportunities for young players to get stuck into senior football and that’s just what one Everton talent can do tonight.

Everton will take on Crystal Palace this evening in the FA Cup which offers the Toffees a chance at a cup run. The game allows Sean Dyche to give game-time to some talented youngsters.

Dyche could opt to utilise some of the talented academy youngsters currently at Finch Farm. While also a chance to reevaluate the way things have been going of late at Goodison Park.

This could see under-performers like Michael Keane dropped in favour of the system reverting to a back four – something which has seen some serious success this campaign.

So with that in mind, there is one youngster who absolutely deserves to be making his first start of the season here, and that is midfielder Jenson Metcalfe.

Sean Dyche should hand Jenson Metcalfe first start vs Crystal Palace

19-year-old Everton prospect Metcalfe is a name on the lips of many with the talented midfielder tipped as one of the club’s most exciting talents breaking through.

The Wigan-born Toffees ace has seemingly been on the cusp of a first-team appearance lately as Dyche has called him into the senior squad for two match days despite failing to make an appearance.

These came against Burnley in the 2-0 win last month and also in the Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Fulham.

The fact he made the squad in a cup quarter-final mere weeks ago could be a positive indicator that he’s in line for some minutes very soon – there would be no better time than an FA Cup 3rd round game.

Metcalfe has been lighting up the U21 scene this campaign with three assists and a goal in nine appearances in the Premier League 2. This no doubt has impressed Dyche and so we’d love to see the ‘talented‘ midfielder on show in this game and there’s no doubt Abdoulaye Doucoure would also.

A further reason as to why he should play is that Everton are light in midfield right now – Idrissa Gueye is potentially off to AFCON and Doucoure is not yet fit as confirmed by Dyche – so ahead of further Premier League action, Dyche should test out Metcalfe.

Where would Metcalfe play?

If started against Palace, Metcalfe could find himself in a midfield trio next to Andre Gomes who has been in inspiring form and also one of James Garner and Amadou Onana.

This would see Everton return to a back-four with extra midfield reinforcements in there to hopefully dominate the middle of the park.

Chances are Metcalfe’s inclusion would come with the exclusion of Keane. This could be the game which sees Metcalfe become a bonafide option for Dyche.