8 Everton U21 Players Head Out to Train With Senior Clubs

There's been a clear focus over the last few years to try to improve the Everton academy, with the appointment of Dave Hughes hopefully allowing us to go to the next level in that aspect.

Back in July, Everton announced an academy restructuring, led by Nick Cox, who had recently joined from Manchester United. 

Cox spent six months 'strategically reviewing' the club's academy, making a number of different appointments at various levels. 

Hughes was one of those appointed by Everton, joining the club in a new role of Head of Academy Player Development, while he is also in charge of the U21 side. 

The focus of Everton's academy will be to develop players capable of making an impact at senior level, or developing them into players who they can sell for huge money in the future. Even developing players into talent that can be sold for a few million can be a massive benefit for the club. 

Results don't matter at that level. Everton need to ensure they are improving the number of players they produce who go on to have a career at a high level, whether that be with the Toffees or elsewhere. 

Everton U21's initiative

Everton have confirmed an initiative that has taken place for eight of their U21 stars that has seen them travel to various clubs in order to have a week of training elsewhere. 

Harvey Foster and George Finney both spent time with French side AS Cannes, who play in Ligue 3. AS Cannes are one of The Friedkin Group's clubs, and they already have young striker George Morgan on loan there. 

"It's positive because the way they act in and around the building, and what they do from day to day, is just good to see. It gives insight into what they do and gives another taste of another type of coaching and football," said Foster on the experience he had in France.

Melvin Matos, Ceiran Loney, and Rocco Lambert were also sent out, linking up with National League side Kidderminster Harriers. Although not the highest level of football, it's an opportunity for the trio to train with senior players and get a taste for lower league football.

Finally, Justin Clarke, Josh van Schoor, and Luca Davis all spent time with Barrow, who are also in the National League. 

An interesting point is that these players weren't sent to the closest club they could find. We've seen players join Southport on loan previously, but they've been sent to clubs a little further away from home, perhaps to see how they cope ahead of potential loan departures.

On the initiative, Hughes explained the reasoning behind allowing players to head out to different clubs, with Nick Chadwick building relationships with various sides.

"We had eight in total go out to gain some experience in a first-team environment and try to give them a rounded understanding of what the landscape looks like. Nick Chadwick did some great work building relationships to send the players there. The eight players who went got loads of different experiences that look, feel, and smell a bit different to what they get here at Finch Farm, to try to equip them for what we hope will be a successful career in professional football."

Hughes has praised the players who were involved in the initative, while thanking the clubs who agreed to take them in.

"It's been a fantastic week for the players. They deserve great credit for the way they've gone about it, and we can't thank the clubs who hosted them enough, added Hughes.