The atmosphere at Everton has arguably not been this good in years, with the players clearly enjoying their football again, and in turn the fans revelling in watching this bunch of stars claim win after win.
Having failed to win in their opening five Premier League matches, it is unprecedented the run they are now enjoying, having won ten from their last 14 in all competitions with a cup quarter final now just around the corner.
As a youngster, there is probably no better time to earn that key promotion into the senior squad, with Jenson Metcalfe the latest to make that step up to the bench.
Although he did not make an appearance, the 19-year-old midfielder still garnered praise on social media from his teammates merely for earning that progression against Burnley.
But who exactly is this teenage ace who has caught Sean Dyche’s eye? Well, with an eye for a tackle and a touch of class too, he may well be Amadou Onana’s perfect partner for the next decade.
How good his Jenson Metcalfe?
Having joined Everton at the age of just five, all Metcalfe has even known is Goodison Park.
It will have been his dream just to get a taste of Premier League football, so to witness it from the bench yesterday must have been a mesmeric experience for the young starlet who has been shining for Paul Tait’s U21s.
In fact, just last term saw the enforcer score one and assist a further three across just nine Premier League 2 appearances, having made the step up from U18s football with impressive ease.
A lengthy injury lay-off certainly halted his progress, but journalist Paddy Boyland would laud his return to action back in January, noting: ‘Great to see Jenson Metcalfe on bench after long injury absence. Talented central midfielder’.
After all, upon signing his new deal in 2022, he would outline his key qualities that would surely resonate with Evertonians: ‘As a midfielder, I like to play long-range passing and I love a tackle! I love a shot from outside the box, too.
‘My long-term aim is to play for the First Team because then I would have played at every stage throughout the Club. Seeing that pathway for others and how they get a chance with the First Team, it inspires you.’
Given his ability to both attack and defend, he could form a fine symbiotic partnership with Onana, who too excels all over the field. His 0.7 key passes and 6.1 ball recoveries per game in the league only emphasise this further, via Sofascore.
Should Metcalfe continue his development, and soon earn that first-team appearance he so richly craves, this duo could soon by a partnership set to strike fear into the rest of the Premier League for years.
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