Talented 15-year-old Jonathan Nsangou made his Everton u18s debut over the weekend after being brought on as a substitute in the last 15 minutes of the 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough.
The debut was notable as Nsangou made the step up two age groups to play for the u18s in the first competitive game and highlighted the potential he holds for the club.
Nsangou is the next big thing in the Everton academy and has already made headlines this year when he scored a hat trick and an assist for England u15s in an intra-squad friendly in November and it seems both club and country are paying particular attention to the electric attacker.
At just 15 Nsangou is in a position where he is not tied down to Everton. Expected to be announced as a first year scholar in the summer, he will not be tied down to a full time contract until the age of 17 at the earliest.
Everton have been proactive in tying down their best players to contracts once they turn 17. Harrison Armstrong was quickly offered a pro deal last year, while Braiden Graham and Douglass Lukjanciks both signed deals this year shortly after turning 17. Goalkeeper Lukjanciks was previously linked with a £10m move to Manchester City, highlighting the need to Everton to move quickly to secure their most talented youngsters.
Before that Everton have lost a handful of talented players at this stage. Thierry Small famously became the club’s youngest ever player but refused a contract at 17, while Mohamed Ali-Cho of Nice and Isaac Price of West Brom also left the club at that stage despite being offered new contracts.
The key to Nsangou’s future will be showing a pathway to the first team and his brief appearance as a substitute in the inaugral game at Bramley Moore Stadium is a major hint that Everton are pulling out all of the stops to keep him at the club.
An appearance at u18 level at the age of just 15 is another indication Everton are showing Nsangou his future is here long term and he will be bouyed by the promotion of Graham and defender Aled Thomas to u21 level in recent weeks after impressing in u18 games.
Interestingly Nsangou also faces a fight for his international future. While he impressed at England youth level in November he has also appeared for Poland’s youth sides. He has two goals in three games at u15 for Poland and both countries will be hoping to secure his future as he develops.
An attacking midfielder who is also comfortable cutting in on his left foot from the right wing, he already looks physically developed. Quick and skilful, he is excellent at breaking through defences and has a composed finish.
Jonathan’s father is a Cameroonian footballer and his older brother Junior has already represented Poland at u19 level. The family moved to Manchester in 2011 and Junior and Jonathan originally joined the Blackburn Rovers academy. Junior played at u18 level before moving to Albacete in Spain in the summer while Jonathan moved to Everton after a year. Their sister Aisha has represented the Manchester United youth sides.
It is easy to hype young players and Everton will be careful to play down the potential of a player who is still in school but his inclusion in an u18 game highlights how well thought of he is at the club. He, along with a number of other talented u18 players, will soon indicate if Everton can promise a proper pathway for youngsters and hold on to their best talents.