Jenson Metcalfe signs a 4-year contract

27/09/2022 16comments  |  Jump to last

Everton U21 midfielder Jenson Metcalfe is the latest Academy product to sign a professional contract with the club; it runs for the next 4 years, expiring in June 2026.

Metcalfe first saw action with the Under-18s in January 2021 and went on to establish himself in Paul Tait's team for the following season after moving up through the age groups in the Everton Academy since the age of 5. 

He made the step up to the U23s last season with a couple of sub appearances before his progress was halted when he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury that has since kept him sidelined as the teenager works his way back to full fitness.

“The Club means everything to me. It really is a dream to sign this contract and play here and is a reward for me and my family for all our hard work,” the 18-year-old told Everton TV.

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“It’s very important for me to have that faith from the Club. I’ve not had the year I wanted to because of the injury but this has given me joy.

“Rehab is going well. I’ve made some progress over the past few months, been out on the grass and I’m happy to be out there with my boots back on.

“The support I’ve had from Everton has been the best I could have asked for. Having the physios each day to get me working towards being fit again, it’s been unbelievable.

“I just want to be back playing, get stronger and get back in the starting team for the Under-21s.”

 

 

Reader Comments (16)

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Robert Tressell
1 Posted 27/09/2022 at 17:25:43
Serious injury seems to be a right of passage for the most promising players at the Everton academy.

Him and Ishe Samuels-Smith are the classiest players we have (that I've seen play anyway). Delighted he's signed and hopefully he gets over the ACL injury okay.

Brent Stephens
2 Posted 27/09/2022 at 17:36:41
Jenson looked full of confidence when he had his handful of U23 games. I thought it was going to take him some time to get up to the pace of the U23s (as is the case for most who step up) but he had some nice touches and passes.
Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 27/09/2022 at 17:51:22
I was just thinking exactly that, Rob. So few seem to get through without suffering serious injury. It's just something you have to accept as more than likely going to happen to you at some point, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it.

Does it in any way reflect a player's level of commitment to the cause, as in pulling back just a tad, or not going in with full force? A question of self-preservation versus reckless abandon, perhaps?

Phill Thompson
4 Posted 27/09/2022 at 18:45:56
The first full game I saw of Jenson Metcalfe was the one he made his U23s debut as a Schoolboy, he looked very composed for a 16-year-old. I remember he clipped a 30-yard pass into the path of Bowler, who I think was then brought down and we scored from the penalty.

Hopefully he'll be back soon and into our U21s, he's certainly looked the best of the 2nd Year Scholars.

He played in some of the FA Youth Cup games earlier this year too.

Andy Crooks
5 Posted 27/09/2022 at 19:18:47
Let's hope that Jenson's photo leading on ToffeeWeb is the first of very many. If I was him I'd well erm knuckle down, work hard and harder and harder.
Best of luck Jenson.
John Pickles
6 Posted 27/09/2022 at 19:35:59
What is it with our academy and serious injuries? Do they practice with live Ammunition?

.

Tony Everan
7 Posted 27/09/2022 at 19:40:26
Congratulations to Jenson.

Barry Williams
8 Posted 27/09/2022 at 19:49:20
A 4-year-contract, so the kid must have something and will more than likely earn a good living in the game, be it with Everton or as a professional somewhere else.

But, reading the article - and someone with more knowledge than me can educate me - at the club since the age of 5!!!??? What is that all about? Five!!!???? I mean, how do you determine how good a 5-year-old is?

Maybe it is just me. However, it sounds as ridiculous as when I was a teacher in Hong Kong and my married friends were telling me that their kids had to present a portfolio - to get into kindergarten

Mike Allison
9 Posted 27/09/2022 at 20:15:37
Barry I think clubs take kids that young thinking that it doesn’t really matter how good they are, they’ve got them early enough to coach the rest into them. I was speaking to a parent who said that Villa were signing young kids based on projections of how they would grow. The idea, again, is that everything else can be coached if you’ve got the kids from a young enough age.
Barry Williams
10 Posted 27/09/2022 at 20:57:27
Mike Allison - 9

Cheers for the info Mike, but to me, who has been in education for quite a while, with all ages from kindergarten to pensioners, it seems absolutely nuts, projections or not. The disappointment when they do not make it/pressure on them at such an early age is ridiculous to me. This is where grassroots football should be serving a purpose - pure madness in my book. Five !!!????? Projections?

Again, as a bloke with over 2 decades in education - crazy.

Just my opinion, but based on experience!

Thanks for the insight.

Jamie Crowley
11 Posted 27/09/2022 at 21:29:24
Congrats Jenson!

You look like you’re 12 years old!

Mark Andersson
12 Posted 27/09/2022 at 00:04:01
It would be good if Bill employed another writer, I'm sick of reading the same script...

Good luck to the boy he will need it at Everton.

Dupont Koo
13 Posted 28/09/2022 at 01:40:12
I have only seen Jenson played a few times through the few U18 & U23 games that were streamed, but he appeared to play with confidence and nice techniques against folks that were at least 2 to 4 years older (and physically more mature) than him.

Recovering from an ACL is always tricky, but fortunately pace doesn't appear to be the biggest part of his game, so his development curve should not be tilted off course after full recovery.

Tipping my hat to Thelwell again for giving Jensen a well-planned 4-year contract: assuming Jensen would need the time until the New Year for rehab, that would give him half a season to be brought back up to speed.

If all things go well, he can be sent out on loan as early as next summer. That would give us up to 2 full seasons afterwards to monitor his progress, preferrably out on loans where he can play against established pros and have his growth accelerated (Lewis Warrington becomes the closest comparable).

By the summer of 2025, when he will only have 1 season left on his contract, a full judgement can be made on whether he can be good enough for the First Team (Extension! & the ideal situation for us) or he will just be a solid Pro in the Football League (then at least he can be sold for a nominal fee).

Alan J Thompson
14 Posted 28/09/2022 at 03:59:16
I often wonder what sort of salary range these kids are on.

I started work on £3 10/- a week in 1967 and that was with, at the time, the biggest shipping company in the world, although we also got a 3-shilling luncheon voucher each working day, almost half a day's pay.

Justin Doone
15 Posted 28/09/2022 at 12:12:53
Pleased for the lad, I hope he goes on to win many trophies with us.

As unbelievable as it sounds, most clubs now start with 5-year-olds in the academies. At that age some children do stand out as having the skills, balance and determination to get on the ball and enjoy showing off their skills. It's just their natural ability.

What I don't agree with is when they are no longer allowed to play for other local clubs or schools before turning 9! It takes the fun out of playing as they can't play football with friends etc.

It must be on the verge of child labour, treated as business assets at such young age. But it's a choice I hope the children want and not pushy parents.

As for 1st full contract at a Premier League club, a wide variation. At Everton, I'm sure in 4 years he'll have earned more than a million, probably £2M.

Robert Tressell
16 Posted 28/09/2022 at 19:39:02
Dupont # 13, I think you've mapped out the ideal route to the first team. He's obviously a talent. Hopefully he can quickly establish himself at u21 level and then develop on loan as you say. Allan has gone, Davies will probably leave for free in summer. Doucoure might get another year. Gueye won't go on forever.

It leaves gaps in the midfield for Metcalfe, Warrington and Onyango if they can shine on loan.


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