‘The Boy Has Got Skills’

Daniel Prescott, FootballFanCast.com , 27 April, 13comments | Jump to most recent

Everton youngster Hallam Hope will be hoping that he's done enough for a new contract at Everton this season. The Manchester-born striker signed a full-time scholarship with the Toffees' having joined from Manchester City back in 2005.

The striker, who is eligible to line-up for both England and Trinidad and Tobago, has been described as somewhat of a silent assassin on the pitch due to his ability to go un-noticed in the box until he is ready to pounce.

The youngster has been a regular goalscorer throughout the Everton youth teams since his move, including causing an instant impact in the Under-16s 2009-10 campaign. His good performances that season helped earn Hope a number or call-ups to the Under-18 youth squad as well as becoming a big part of Everton's 2010 FA Youth Cup Squad.

These performances earned the youngster a call up to International level, as he made his debut for England Under-17s in the Victory Shield back in October 2009. He followed up this cap with a brace in England's 3-1 win over Ukraine in France's Montaigi Tournament in 2010.

Despite the fact the Hope has represented England at International, he is still eligible to represent Trinidad & Tobago. Hope celebrated his England appearances by being somewhat of a revelation for the Under-17s the season after.

He scored seven goals in nine appearances during that 2010-11 season as he helped the side qualify for the European Championship Finals. The side's good form continued all the way to the semi-finals in Serbia before eventually falling to defeat at the hands of Holland.

Hope achieved a school-boy dream during the summer of 2011 as he scored a goal of great importance on a personal level. The striker found the net during the Mexican Under-17 World Cup, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

That 2010-2011 season was also a big one for Hope at club level. Everton romped the national Academy League title that season and was rewarded for his progression at both club and international level by being named in the reserves on a regular basis.

Since then Hope has earned yet more caps at both Under 18 and Under 19 levels, the latter saw him named in the European Championship Finals in Estonia, after a call-up from Noel Blake. Hope, who's current contract ends in June 2013, will be hoping that he's done enough to earn himself a new deal... However, the youngster may have to wait until David Moyes signs his contract extension before one arrives for himself.

Quotes or other material sourced from FootballFanCast.com

Reader Comments (13)

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Brian Garside
1 Posted 27/04/2013 at 20:31:36

This lad is worth a punt. He certainly has the potential to develop into something good. Could even be worth a price tag if sold.

Phil Sammon
2 Posted 27/04/2013 at 22:37:21

We have much more promising youngsters on our books.

Ian McDowell
3 Posted 27/04/2013 at 23:07:16

I am thinking Michael Branch

Tom Bowers
5 Posted 28/04/2013 at 00:38:14

Does he yet realise that Moyes doesn't start youngsters?

He could be in for a long stay of disappointment unless somehow he scores a hat-trick off the bench.

Luke Berry
6 Posted 28/04/2013 at 00:49:51

Kid is a natural goal scorer. Hope he signs, he'll end up with a career wherever he ends up.

Anybody know how George Greene is coming along?

Steve Edwards
7 Posted 28/04/2013 at 12:12:30

With a name like that he would be a headline writers dream.

Jon Withey
8 Posted 28/04/2013 at 12:26:38

I noticed George Green was down as midfielder for our Under-21s. They topped their group at least and are unbeaten for some time.

Eric Holland
10 Posted 28/04/2013 at 19:19:34

@ Phil Sammon
Good to hear that.
What country do they represent?
and at what levels?
sounds promising for the future.

Andy Meighan
11 Posted 28/04/2013 at 20:35:24

He seems to have been around for ages this kid. But I've got to be honest and say I don't know the slightest thing about him. I wouldn't know him if I fell over him.

Has anyone seen him play and is he any good? Does he resemble anyone playing now or in days gone by? I'd love to know... could someone please enlighten me?

Andy Codling
12 Posted 28/04/2013 at 21:08:30

Does it matter if he signs or not? He will never get an opportunity under David Moyes!

I don't understand where Moyes gets this reputation of bringing youth players on.

Phil Sammon
13 Posted 28/04/2013 at 21:34:39

Garbutt, Lundstrum, Duffy, Junior, Barkley, Kennedy and McAleny are the most promising in my opinion.

Ross Edwards
14 Posted 28/04/2013 at 21:41:33

Busby and Fergie got rid of the ageing Man U squads and put the kids in, and it worked, and as we don't have any money to replace them we shuold give the kids a go.

Steavey Buckley
15 Posted 29/04/2013 at 14:56:16

Ross Edwards: There are no players who have established themselves at Man Utd 1st team this season who came directly from their youth teams. Smalling and Phil Jones came to Man Utd with large price tags. The likes of Welbeck needed to establish themselves at Sunderland to establish themselves at united.

Everton have at present, in recent times, have no youth players who have established themselves at any premier league club. Ross Barkley, the only youth player of any note, only had a few games at Sheffield Wed and Leeds, both Championship teams.

It does appear from the amount of youth players released every season or leave of their own accord, such as Jose Baxter, that they are just making the numbers up without ever really being contenders to become Premier League players.

When a young player signs professional forms at Everton it should be made clear to them they did not sign to just make up the youth and academy teams. Instead, they are there to prepare to become an Everton 1st team player.

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