Eli Campbell’s pre season at Everton did not go to plan.
The 20-year-old defender started at left back in a makeshift back line that included Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman and fellow u21 player Tyler Onyango. While Everton laboured up front they also switched off defensively, conceding two without reply before the break.
Campbell himself had a shaky game. Trying to push up, he was caught with space behind him a few times and was booked for a poor tackle on the halfway line that caused a bit of a melee with the players.
The defender then scored a clumsy own goal in a defeat to Salford in the second game out. To say he didn’t look ready for first team involvement was an understatement.
But Campbell does have huge potential. Tall and strong, he’s also lightning quick, able to get up and down the wing as a left back but probably more comfortable as a centre half. He impressed for the u21s last season and is well respected at the club.
While he does look technically solid, his real talents lie in defence. In his own words: “First and foremost, I’m a defender so I love defending, I love winning my duels, winning my tackles, my headers, getting blocks and ultimately keeping clean sheets.
“I also like to play out from the back and just express myself as a footballer.”
There were hints in pre season. A lovely cross to Jack Harrison against Salford should have resulted in an assist, while his recovery pace against Sligo was evident from the start.
In the summer it made sense to loan Campbell out. Ross County of the Scottish Premier League came calling and the move has proved to be a hit. After a slow start that saw him sent off (one of two Ross County players to see red in the same game) he has since become a stalwart of the defence.
Manager Don Cowie has had a rocky start to the season but recent performances have been more solid and he has praised their recent defensive record. He says: “The [last] two games highlighted that, two really solid defensive displays – albeit without getting the goals to get three points.”
And he has singaled out Campbell for specific praise, saying: “He’s done brilliantly. You forget how young and inexperienced he is in terms of first-team football, but he’s been a breath of fresh air in terms of how he conducts himself and trains.
“I don’t think it matters which position I play him in – he will do the best he can and once again on Saturday he illustrated that.”
Campbell’s form has been rewarded with international call ups too. While he is eligible for Jamaica he has been called up by England’s Elite Squad – a name given to the u20 team. He failed to appear in his first call up but this week made his debut in a 4-0 victory over Germany. Interestingly, he joined Everton’s youngest ever player, Thierry Small, in the squad. Tellingly, he is probably further along than the now Charlton player in his career progression.
Praise at club level and an international under-ages call up, Campbell has taken major steps towards a successful career.
Everton fans will hope it is at the club. They will be left with three senior central defenders next summer when Mason Holgate and Michael Keane inevitably depart. With Jarrad Branthwaite attracting transfer interest there could be no better time for Campbell to show he has a future at the club.
In fact, he is probably Everton’s best internal prospect in defence. Fellow u21 defender Reece Welch has not been as lucky. A disastrous loan spell at Forest Green stunted his development but is has come as a surprise that the only taker for a loan this year was Belgian side second tier side Deinze. The move has not been smooth. The club faced bankruptcy this year as he failed to get a start, but they were saved at the last minute by a new investor. Since then he has appeared briefly but at a level that does not suggest a first team appearance is near.
In the u21s there is a paucity of central defenders. While Everton have recruited cleverly at academy level in attacking positions there are gaps in defence at all levels. Will Tamen has arrived from Burton with a good reputation and first team appearances for the club under his belt, while Aled Thomas has impressed at Wales youth level but is still young.
Bradley Moonan is the more senior of the u21 defenders now but a loan will be the obvious next stop for him. At full back, Roman Dixon will also be sent on loan after making his first team debut.
Young Jake Butler has trained with the first team a number of times but the left back is another who will have to head out on loan before he steps up. Excellent in the final third, the full back will need to improve the defensive side of his game to make the next step into the professional game.
It means Eli Campbell’s progression this season is incredibly positive news for a club that simply has to rely on youth to bolster a threadbare squad. His transition to the first team is not guaranteed but his obvious strengths mean he has all the tools to make it in the game.
With an England appearance under his belt and first team minutes adding to his experience, Campbell is in a promising position in his career – and that can only be good news for Evertonians.