Dennis Adeniran 40

Everton added another promising youngster to their U23 development squad in September 2017 with the arrival of midfielder Dennis Adeniran from Fulham. Including add-ons, Adeniran could end up costing Everton a fee of £4M with add-ons, according to Sky Sports News.

The 18-year-old was a deadline-day acquisition to bolster David Unsworth's options as he and his team defend their Premier League 2 crown.

Born in Southwark, London, Adeniran made his senior bow for Fulham a year ago in a League Cup tie, and  became Fulham’s youngest ever goalscorer in a 3-2 win over Leyton Orient. He then made his only first-team appearance in the Football League to date the following month after consistently impressing at academy level. Subsequently, he occasionally sat on the bench during Fulham’s push for promotion. Adeniran is very tactically aware for his age and exhibits composure that is beyond his years

He operates in the centre of midfield but plays different roles depending on the need of the team. When playing deep, he orchestrates play, using his impressive passing ability to keep possession and pick out teammates in space. Off of the ball, he tracks his runners and fills in for teammates that are out of position, covering a lot of ground while doing so.

On other occasions, he plays in a more advanced midfield role, where he exhibits impressive ball control and decision-making. When in possession of the ball, he drives into space and is direct with his play, but is tactically aware enough to know when to release the ball or switch play.

His most impressive attributes are his vision and composure on the ball. He notices attacking runs, and likewise knows when to make moves himself, which often results in him finding himself in dangerous positions on the edge of the penalty area. When under pressure he remains composed and confident in his ability.   

He was a first choice name on David Unsworth's Under-23s teamsheet until he got injured in January 2018 and that would bring a premature end to his first season in the Under-23s.

But he had progressively established himself as an influential figure in David Unsworth’s side and an energetic display against League One Coventry’s first-team in La Manga in pre-season suggested Adeniran is eager to make up for lost time.

The 19-year-old’s combative approach ruffled the feathers of opponents many years his senior as Everton threatened a comeback after trailing 2-0 at the break. Adeniran was one of seven players introduced for the second half by Unsworth, with the Londoner’s progressive use of the ball another driving force behind the Blues’ improved showing following the restart. 

He was the second most used player by David Unsworth as the Under-23s achieved a notable double, winning the Premier League 2 and Premier League Cup titles in the 2018-19 season. But he's clearly not a goalscorer, and seemingly some way away from competing for a place in the Everton first team.

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