A year ago Welsh youth international Aled Thomas was probably looking forward to a season as one of the more senior players in Everton’s u18 setup.
Thomas, a central defender, was tasked with the duty of keeping things tight at the back while Everton’s impressive attack did their thing. That attack featured Braiden Graham, snatched from under the noses of Brighton from the Northern Ireland league, Partick Thistle striker Cieran Loney, homegrown winger Kieran Wren and tricky midfielder Justin Clarke, who arrived later from Wimbledon.
It is no surprise he flew a little under the radar. However, the last 12 months have certainly changed that.
Thomas was the first player to captain an Everton side at Bramley Moore stadium when he led out the u18s against Wigan in the first test event and he was quickly moved to the u21 setup.
A left-sided central defender capable of also playing at left back, Thomas is one of a new generation of defensive talents who are equally comfortable on the ball as they are winning it back. In fact, he often found himself on corner duty at u21 level such is his ability to deliver the ball into dangerous areas.
At left back or centre half he is a goal threat, scoring three times and assisting twice in 15 hugely impressive u21 games at the end of last season. He also won silverware, helping them lift the Liverpool Senior Cup and supplying an assist to Martin Sherif in the final of the tournament.
Thomas has also become a mainstay at international level, where he started both of Wales u19s most recent fixtures. He is one of several talented Welsh youngsters at Everton including striker George Morgan and midfielder Luis Gardner.
Having been at Everton since he was seven, Thomas signed a two year contract last summer and the best could be yet to come. An injury crisis in defence saw Thomas named on the bench against Blackburn in last week’s friendly and he has been taken to the US with the first team, where he may actually get on the pitch against Bournemouth, Manchester United or West Ham given Everton’s paucity of choice in defence.
He seems to have already moved ahead of the likes of Odin Samuel-Smith in Everton’s thinking and while Tyler Onyango and possibly Will Tamen, who played an unnatural right back position against Accrington Stanley, will probably start ahead of him, he could make an appearance at left back as cover for Vitaly Mykolenko in the States.
Thomas is some way from the first team picture. While praising his performance in an u21 game in December Everton’s u21 manager Paul Tait was quick to point to Thomas’ age as one of the youngest players on the pitch. While not small is not physically imposing in the same way Reece Welch or Will Tamen may be but he is arguably one of the better players on the ball in the u21 setup.
The trip to the US will be useful for Thomas’ development and could help cement his place as one of Everton’s most talented youngsters. The real test will be on the club and how they help to develop a pathway for such an obvious talent.