Everton supporters have fumed that Oumar Niasse was given a starting spot for the Under-21s in their Leasing.com Trophy clash with Fleetwood Town.
The Senegalese 29-year-old was given a start for the club’s Under-21s (per Everton), in which the side was knocked out of the competition in a 4-0 defeat (via Everton).
With supporters seeing Niasse’s start as a wasted opportunity to improve a youth team player against senior professionals, they were frustrated to see the fringe first-team striker given a start.
Niasse https://t.co/b31CrQ3VII
— El Pivote (@elpivoteftbl) November 26, 2019
Just finished listening to a toffee TV podcast, where all 3 of you talked about youth development, why is he taking the place of players we are trying to develop,isn’t this part something Brands needs to get a grip of.
— john higgins (@johnhiggins13) November 26, 2019
Is he serious? Still? Dear lord does he need to go.
— Ryan Williams (@RyanSoccerAA) November 26, 2019
How is Simms not playing ahead of Niasse? Terrible that development is not priority here with this group
— Ollie Murphy (@ollie_murphy10) November 26, 2019
Should Under-21s teams only be allowed to start Under-21 players in the Leasing.com Trophy?
Yes
No
The 29-year-old striker, who is valued at £5.4 million (as per Transfermarkt), has been rumoured to be leaving Goodison Park in the near future (as per Liverpool Echo).
However, he has been used on a number of occasions for the Under-21s in recent months by David Unsworth due to having had a ‘tough time’ (via Liverpool Echo).
With a possible exit on the cards, though, many felt it was a waste that he would be involved at the expense of a youngster.
Niasse ahead of Simms is criminal
— James Hill (@JamesEfc95) November 26, 2019
It’s a joke he will be gone in the summer at the latest. Just hinders the progress of one of the younger lads.
— Dave (@DM_HIGGS) November 26, 2019
Can’t brands say to unsworth that Simms has to be in before niasse,I thought brands had a lot of power at the club,certainly more than unsworth
— its erdingers fault (@danny1878c) November 26, 2019
What do we think?
It could be argued that Niasse’s involvement increased the chance of progression in the competition and therefore would give the whole team more senior experience as a whole in the later rounds.
However, in a competition which is designed to help Premier League youth teams develop their players, it seems a waste to have started the 29-year-old at a youngster’s expense.