Everton: Emilio Lawrence is one to watch for the Toffees | OneFootball

Everton Football Club have a very proud youth academy.

From Wayne Rooney coming through the ranks roughly 20 years ago to the reliably consistent Leon Osman or the effervescent Ross Barkley, there have been some impressive talents to graduate from the Merseyside club.

Their product line in recent years hasn’t been quite as successful but we’ve still seen players like Tom Davies make the seamless transition from academy football to first team life.

The current jewel in the crown of Everton’s youth system is Anthony Gordon. The 20-year-old has played 20 times for the Toffees’ senior side but is yet to score for the club. He is currently earning valuable experience on loan at Preston but he may have to look over his shoulder in the next few years.

That’s because the winger will be challenged by plenty of other young attackers trying to make the grade at Goodison Park.

Ellis Simms is another making waves but the promising duo could be joined in competition by a certain Emilio Lawrence. The attacker is just 15 years of age but has made the step-up to under-18s football in the last few weeks.

A number of injury concerns have rocked the academy in recent months which has meant that a number of the under-18 squad have had to play at under-23 level.

That has opened the door for spaces in the under-18s, a level at which Lawrence is now flourishing. He was handed 20 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week and he took full advantage of his opportunity by finding the back of the net.

Everton have never been afraid to fast-track young players if they’re ready and this was a fine example. Lawrence was a significant danger to the opposition as he popped up with a late strike to seal a 3-1 win.

Speaking at full-time, under-18 manager Paul Tait reserved special praise for the teenager, saying: “Emilio gave us a threat. He can hit the ball with both feet and shifted it from right to left to score a smashing goal.”

The ability to use both feet in such a confident fashion should give him a big leg-up when it comes to competing for places at higher levels of the game.

It seems evident that Lawrence plays with no fear, and although a first team breakthrough is still a long way from becoming a reality, he appears to have plenty of tools to continue making a splash.

He’s one talent who Carlo Ancelotti will need to keep watching in the coming years.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must swoop for £24.9m gem who gives oppo “sleepless nights”…