It was a season of upheaval for Everton u18s last year. Manager Leighton Baines was promoted to first team duty under David Moyes and former Everton youth player Keith Southern took his place in the dugout.
The squad was free-scoring thanks to the additions of Braiden Graham and Cieran Loney, while Harrison Armstrong inspired the side on an FA Youth Cup run that was disappointingly ended by Plymouth in a 1-0 home defeat after Armstrong moved to Derby on loan.
In the league the squad finished an impressive third place finish, only behind Manchester United and Manchester City’s star-filled academies.
This year is a new start for the u18s with a big turnover in players and it could be an exciting one for the club.
Goalkeepers
Douglas Ljukjanciks is somewhere between u18 and u21 level at the moment and he is expected to start most games at u18 level.
However, Seve Patrick impressed towards the end of last season and looks like a top shot stopper. Ljukjanciks is clearly the better goalkeeper with the ball at his feet so it is a selection headache for Southern, who will have to weigh up the style of goalkeeper he wants for the new season.
Goodness Gospel-Eze, a scholar last year, has struggled for minutes and will be a backup, while young Ruben Savvas has signed from Liverpool but will probably not step up to u18 level until next year.
Defenders
With Freddie Freedman, who joined from Manchester United last year, moving to Millwall it’s all change in defence for the young Toffees.
John Dodds is an intriguing new signing from Hearts. He was not really classed as one of their top talents at u18s level but has drastically improved in the last six months and secured his big move to Everton this summer. He will be joined by talented England youth international Rueben Gokah, who joins from Charlton with plenty of hype around him. Both are centre halves and will get plenty of minutes.
They are joined by Evertonian youngster Lewis Evans, who is a 2025 scholar. He is described as an aggressive and technical centre half and he’s clearly a clever lad as he lists Beto as part of his dream five-a-side team.
Louis Poland played 19 times for the u18s last year. He bases his game on Baines but will need to up his output (one assist) this year. He will have competition from pacey left back Harvey Billington, who arrives from United and has impressed in pre season tournaments as an attacking option.
On the right side of defence Rocco Lambert played 22 times for the u18s last season, scoring one and assisting three.
Midfielders
Wales youth international Louis Gardner, who played in the first test event at Bramley Moore, will be the veteran of the u18s this season. He played 30 games last year and will be a leader in the squad this year.
He is joined by Demi Akarakiri, a tenacious midfielder who likes to chip in with a goal, looks like he has plenty of positive attributes. A scholar last year, he stood out in the first test event with some neat midfield passing.
Melvin Matos, who bases his game on Ngolo Kante and is more of a destroyer in the centre, will provide defensive cover after a solid u18 season last time out.
They are joined by 2025 scholar Freddie Murdock, a box-to-box midfielder who has already played for Northern Ireland u16s. He will be one to watch in the centre this season.
The pick of the attacking options comes in the form of talented 2025 scholar Malik Olayiwola. Quick and skilful, he can operate as an attacking midfielder or a winger and his cameos at u18 level last season are an exciting glimpse at his talent. He won the player of the tournament as Everton u17s romped to the Triangle Cup in Bermuda, scoring a hat trick in a 7-0 victory en route.
Kean Wren scored six goals for the u18s last year and the young winger seemed to click with the likes of Braiden Graham. This has to be his break out season before a step up to u21 level for the 17-year-old second year scholar.
Direct and pacey Amari Moses has already played four games for the u18s and scored once despite being just 16. A 2025 scholar, he’ll get more game time this year in what is shaping up to be an exciting attack.
An interesting player to keep an eye out for is Shea Pita. A couple of years ago he was the one to watch in the academy. He has already played for Wales u17s but dropped off last year due to injury. He’s back as a first year scholar and if he can get back on track the potential is there for him to be a star.
Rangey winger Charlie Stewart adds further options on the flanks after 33 appearances at u18 level last year.
Strikers
There are more exciting attacking talents to keep an eye on. Ray Roberts was the first Everton player to score at Hill Dickinson Stadium to add to his five league goals. At 17 this could be his breakout season in an attacking role that could be up front or behind a striker.
Scottish striker Cieran Loney signed his first pro deal with the club this summer and the 17-year-old faces a big season without his partner in crime Braiden Graham, who has stepped up to u21 level. He scored three in 15 last year as a target man partner for Graham and will look to step up as the main man this year.
Loney has already played senior football at the age of just 16 when he appeared for Partick Thistle and hopes are high for him this year.
While not part of the official squad Everton fans should be excited about Jon Nsangou. The attacking midfielder made his u18 debut at the age of 15 and is the worst kept secret at the club. He already has a hat trick to his name at u18 level and was the top scorer in the u17s Triangle Cup triumph in the summer.
A superstar in the making, Everton will be giving him plenty of minutes as they hope to secure his scholarship status next season.
Keep an eye out for fellow England youth attacker Jake Doughty, who is another to watch at the lower age groups.