Why Everton should try and win the race for youngster Kyron Gordon

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are among several Premier League clubs monitoring highly-rated Sheffield United defender Kyron Gordon.

Merseyside rivals Liverpool are also understood to be keeping close tabs on the teenage centre-back, who has been on the fringes of Chris Wilder’s first-team this season. The 18-year-old was named on the bench for the Blades’ FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers earlier in the month, although he didn’t enter the field of play. 

Gordon is yet to make a competitive appearance for Sheffield United but remains highly rated by the youth coaches at Bramall Lane. The defender has already impressed for the Blades’ U-18 and U-23 sides, catching the eye with his potential in the FA Youth Cup.

He signed a two-year professional deal with the club back in July 2019, which came into effect after his scholarship agreement ended this past summer. 

Everton’s youth recruitment

Everton have made a lot of progress in terms of strengthening at the youth and reserve level in recent times. Under the stewardship of director Marcel Brands, the Toffees have continued to scour the continent to cherry-pick up and coming talents with an eye on the future as a part of their long-term plans moving forward.

The acquisition of Jarrad Branthwaite from Carlisle United last January has already paid off handsomely. The teenager made a number of appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s senior side in the Premier League last season and recently sealed a loan move to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship to further his development.

Niels Nkounkou was also a flagship arrival from Marseille this past summer. The France U-19 international came through the door with very little experience but has already made his mark for the Toffees at the senior level. Everton also snapped up highly-rated midfielder Imam Jagne from Sweden in the last window as a part of their youth recruitment drive.

Gordon an ideal long-term investment?

Kyron Gordon has made great strides in his development at Bramall Lane in recent years. He is yet to make a senior appearance for the Blades but it seems only a matter of time before he bursts on to the scene. With the player yet to sign a long-term contract, the door remains open for Everton to try their luck. 

Ancelotti has shown that he is not hesitant to hand opportunities to the youngsters if they are genuinely good enough to do a job for the team. Nkounkou and Anthony Gordon have both enjoyed involvement in the Premier League this season. Other academy prospects like Thierry Small and Tyler Onyango have made appearances in the FA Cup.

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Verdict

A potential deal for Kyron Gordon, to that end, would represent yet another exciting addition to the existing pool of up and coming talents at Goodison Park. Ellis Simms and Branthwaite have both sealed loan moves to the Championship and Everton should adopt a similar stance on Gordon if they were to strike a deal for the teenager.