Everton’s academy is wildly prestigious, having produced some of the country’s greatest footballers and continuing to do so even today.
It was just last month that they saw one of their graduates sell for a mouth-watering £45m, and that was before Anthony Gordon had really done anything of note within the game.
Should Warrington start next year?
Yes
No
He was part of a fresh crop of youth talent, all of whom are poised to break into the first team sooner or later. Whilst some are thriving for the U23s, others are enjoying loan spells where the experience of senior football will help develop them both physically and technically.
That is at least the goal with sending Lewis Warrington out to Fleetwood Town, as he seems the most likely to be their next big star.
Who should partner Onana at Everton?
Diminutive in stature but tireless in attitude, the 19-year-old has been mentioned alongside the first team for a couple of years now. His combative midfield displays earned praise, which he would then convert into silkiness that saw Tranmere Rovers fans fall in love with him during his temporary spell there.
His youth coach Paul Tait has been vocal in his adoration for the youngster, who boasts technical prowess to match his defensive steel. He claimed:
“He’s played number 10 for quite a bit of time at the Club and we’ve changed him to a number six this season. He’s got good body strength, he can look after the ball and he can pass and move. He was magnificent against City.”
Having progressed through the U18s and the U23s, his experiences on loan should see him return this summer with vast experience, ready to finally push for a spot in Sean Dyche’s side alongside Amadou Onana.
The Belgian is another who has captured the attention of late, with his domineering yet classy midfield displays drawing praise. As such, he records 2.6 tackles, one interception and an 85% pass accuracy per 90, via Sofascore.
To pair him with the nimble but similarly well-rounded Warrington could provide the perfect partnership to hold down the engine room in the 4-4-2 system.
How is Lewis Warrington performing on loan?
The teenage sensation has fast become a mainstay for the League One outfit, who are fighting to break into the top half of the table.
Across 20 appearances he has recorded a 6.88 average rating, which is underpinned by his two tackles and 0.8 key passes per game, via Sofascore.
However, what he boasts that Onana somewhat lacks, is the ability to bring the ball out from the back consistently, and beat his man. As such, he records a 79% dribble success rate, albeit facing a lower-standard of opposition.
With both seemingly complementing one another and covering each other’s deficiencies, this could be a perfect midfield pairing to thrive at Goodison Park for the foreseeable future.
