OPINION
Everton must prove to supporters that they have moved away from relying on experienced has-beens of the game by landing Wigan Athletic’s 16-year-old starlet Joe Gelhardt.
Not only would it be a chance to get one over their Merseyside rivals Liverpool, who according to ESPN are also in the running for the player’s signature, but it would show that they are going to play their youngsters.
New Toffees director of football Marcel Brands has already revealed in the Liverpool Echo that the Blues will be turning to their kids instead of relying on the transfer market which in recent years has proved less than successful.
In Gelhardt, they would have one of the best youngsters around, as the dazzling forward is free scoring in the domestic and national scene at his level.
Aside from Gylfi Sigurdsson, arrivals through the doors at Goodison Park have been a list of “not anymores” and “get them outs” which has led to calls for the powers that be to call on their stars of tomorrow.
There have been suggestions from Brands that Ademola Lookman will be given more of an opportunity in the side but with Gelhardt’s capture, it will be a transfer u-turn and one that will be welcomed by supporters.
The Toffees must do all they can do sign the starlet, who is deemed one of the hottest prospects in the country in his age group to show fans they mean business.