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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton are in talks with Under-23 goalkeeper Joao Virginia over a new contract, whilst he has also joined Reading on a season-long loan deal.
What’s the word, then?
Well, tying Virginia down to fresh terms won’t be the first move the Toffees have made in securing the future of their young stars this summer, not by any means.
The Merseysiders have already been successful in getting as many as eight precocious young talents to commit their future to the club since the end of last season.
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Everton have managed to get Ellis Simms, Einar Iversen, Mackenzie Hunt, Korede Adedoyin, Kieran Phillips, Nicolas Hansen, Joe Anderson and Manasse Mampala to put pen to paper on fresh deals, highlighting their intentions to focus on youth and back their young talent.
Clearly back their youngsters to make the grade
After David Unsworth’s incredible success with the Under-23 side in the 2018/19 campaign, the Toffees are clearly backing their young players to make it.
They were crowned Premier League 2 champions last season, where a number of burgeoning youngsters such as Lewis Gibson and Virginia put their names in the limelight.
In the Under-18’s, Simms hit a quite ridiculous 37 goals in just 29 games, which has attracted interest from German champions Bayern Munich.
We already know what the Goodison Park academy is capable of. It has been home to some excellent talents in previous years such as Wayne Rooney, Jack Rodwell and Ross Barkley, all of whom have gone on to play for England.
However, a true star hasn’t really emerged into the first-team since Barkley – there has evidently been an emphasis on rewarding a number of young players for their efforts in the shape of new contracts though, something that the Toffees wouldn’t do if they weren’t backing the majority of them to make the grade.