Everton sign goalkeeper Mark Travers from Bournemouth

Jesus, we must have some money to spend!

The life of a back up keeper. He will know what he's walking into.

We never know what will have, but although he hasn't suffered much with injuries, Pickford could get injured or even suspended.

Those old enough will remember the shock when the invincible Neville Southall got injured as we were closing if for the league title. Bobby Mimms, who knew his place, stepped in and did okay. Some point to Southall's injury as the reason we missed out, but for me, it was more about us having a wobble and a ridiculous run in by Liverpool. We only missed out by 2 points. One game.

It still hurts. And the less I say about the FA Cup final, the better. Old wounds.

The Bobble is reporting it, so I would expect this will be announced.

And at still only 26 he has a long playing career ahead of him as a regular starter if he can find the right club.

That's it Gavin. The add ons will include appearances.

Travers is young for a keeper and will benefit traing alongside Jordon

Also Big Jake and Seamus can help him settle!

4 million for a goalkeeper not considered good enough for Bournemouth!!? I would have preferred us to keep Virginia.

What’s the point in having highly rated young keepers if they are never given a chance? Yes Travets has premiership experience, but it wasn’t good enough for him to keep the position permanently. Disappointed with this transfer

But on the transfer budget, we don't know how much there is to spend. The only people who do are TFG, the CEO and accountant's. That will be passed onto the recruitment team so they can prioritise.

If the club. Say we can afford the reported £4m on a position we need, then we must be able to.

A £1m a year for ffp

Btw they finished above Everton for last few seasons

I could never really understand why Virginia stayed for as long as he did with almost no game time, similarly puzzling why Travers would want to play a distant second fiddle to Pickford. He must have his reasons, maybe it's simply financial.

If he was good enough, why have Bournemouth just bought another goalkeeper and sold Travers?

Andrew @ 15, Travers would never be considered good enough for PSG, so what’s your point?

Same as Everton have a better number one.

Hes a back up goalkeeper. What’s the issue?

His career total number of league appearances is 131 in twelve years, with his most appearances in one season being 45 for Bournemouth in season 21 / 22. So he’s hardly been a consistent number one wherever he’s been.

For a goalkeeper, you either play, or you don’t, there’s no in-between. Many outfield players can play in a position other than their preferred one, a goalkeeper can’t. Overall I think Travers will be more than happy with this move, and he will get to play a game or two, mainly in the early cup rounds, or if JP is either injured or god forbid, suspended.

I'm just a little suprised that our two first moves have been for a CF and backup GK rather than the priority positions of RW, RB and CM. The players we sign there will go some distance to dictating our success this season and ideally would be given time to settle during pre-season.

Of course, like most things we are never privy to what goes on behind the scenes. Just hope Moyes has had some influence as he has pretty much, though not always, been a good judge of a player's fit, and worth, for Everton Football Club !

Which one would you or anyone on here have signed instead?

I just have an uncomfortable feeling that Picks, who has been very fortunate on a couple of reckless challenges in recent years, is due to have his luck run out.

And if he flies into somebody and goes down for six weeks, I think Travers is of a sufficient level of quality to keep Picks' absence from costing us games.

So I'm glad this is happening.

I've been keeping an eye on that list too, and reading it makes a strong point that there's nobody available we should trust if Pickford goes down.

We can debate and question the logic of releasing both Begovic and Virginia, but some of that might have been for their own personal career reasons.

They're not here now, so other than question why we let both go, it doesn't affect us now. They don't play for Everton.

It looks as if Travers may do so.

But some just think you can buy players just like Football Manager!

Mark Travers moves to Everton from Bournemouth

Seems done.

Rob #23, on your trip to Bournemouth in January when we were shut out 1-0, the keeper was Travers. Unfortunately we never put a shot on goal, so you didn't see him do anything, but....

And when Doucoure scored THAT goal at Goodison, the keeper he beat was Travers.

Any current No 1 keeper anywhere who is good enough for Everton is going to cost more than £4M, so which out-of-contract goalie could we have signed on for free who is good enough?

£4M seems a reasonable amount to pay for a decent back-up. I have no issues with this signing.

The Arsenal fans were fuming when they found out Kepa was being brought in as a back-up keeper for £5M because they don't rate him at all.

Yet Kepa was the keeper that kept Travers out of the Bournemouth team. Still some people believe he is of sufficient quality to stand in for Pickford. He isn't.

A Number 1 goalkeeper isn't coming to Everton to be a Number 2.

All Arsenal fans were fuming?

Outfield players know they may get a chance because of injuries, loss of form, players moving on, etc. But keepers tend to avoid injuries and the likes of Pickford are consistent and rarely lose their form.

He is Everton's and England's No 1 and probably will be for at least the next couple of seasons. Travers will no doubt get his chances to play in the cup games for now. But at 26, he has time on his side. After all, Pickford isn't getting any younger.

I have yet to hear an Arsenal fan say anything good about Kepa and, again, I try to cover as many fan sites as possible. I spend hours watching and listening to fan sites, including the Everton sites of course.

I am sure there will be some Arsenal fans that appreciate the Kepa signing, but there won't be many.

It makes no sense to me to sign an, at best, average keeper, then allow 3 to walk out of the door.

We haven't allowed 3 to walk out the door. Begovic was about 50 years old and Virginia apparently wanted to leave. My Middlesbrough supporter friend said they were disappointed they couldn't keep him.

So due to your vast knowledge of football, who should Everton sign as Number 2?

Travers seems an okay signing as back-up. Is he good enough to replace Pickford? No. Is he good enough to play some games between transfer windows, if required? Yes, I think he is, from what I've seen.

A bit like Keane, it's clear players just want the money, rather than playing every week.

Arsenal fans moan at anything. You only have to watch Arsenal Fan TV to know that.

I have yet to see any positive comments regarding Kepa on Arsenal sites. Clearly you visit the superior sites though.

Kepa won't push Reya hard for the Number 1 spot at Arsenal, he is too error-prone. Shame Middlesbrough didn't sign him, he might be up to Championship level.

In their careers, Kepa has made 5 errors leading to goals, 3 for Raya and 21 for Pickford

Last season, Pickford saved 72% of shots. Raya 72% and Kepa 71%.

So tell me which goalkeeper we should have signed?

Here you go:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1l4rx4j/gunnerblog_arsenal_make_chelseas_kepa/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1ljne0v/kinsella_arsenal_are_set_to_complete_the_signing/

On what Anika says, I'd be very surprised to hear that the majority of Arsenal fans would be moaning about Kepa's signing as a No 2 on their fan sites and channels.

I hope you are right, Sam, and this signing is an indicator that we will be spending more than the projected £70M-100M budget. We need to spend a healthy amount when we see the likes of Chelsea getting £130M for this Club World Cup. The competition seems like another way for rich owners of so-called elite clubs to bypass PSR.

Anikka, I wouldn't take what Ryan asked personally. You expressed a view, he's just asked you what you base it on.

Personally, I have no opinion to give on our likely new keeper. I've barely seen him play.

Personally, I'd have not bought either and got Angus Gunn in for no transfer fee who's Scotland's No 1 and was inexplicably let go by Norwich.

If we haven't signed the necessary upgrades on the right flank by the end of the window, then that's the time to complain. As it happens, I think we'll get our business done.

it's certainly true that you don't always need to sign players in order of priority but it does seem that the club really pushed the boat out for Barry whereas we don't appear to have seen that for anyone else so far.

I won't judge till the window is done but our most important bits of business are still pending in my view.

I would have preferred to use the £4M transfer fee towards another position we need to fill, but if, as Sam speculates, we will be spending more than the projected summer transfer budget, then Travers will be a good addition to the squad.

Danny, he was sarcastic, I replied in kind.

The Arsenal fans I am taking about are all season ticket holders, or were until recently.

Gavin @ 46, try checking their fan sites if you don't believe they aren't happy. Start with Lee Gunner.

That, in itself, is a huge improvement on just about everything since the Martinez era.

Those deals should take time as we have to get those choices right, especially the right flank.

I've watched Travers who played in goal for Ireland a few times, very accomplished and did nothing wrong, a good buy for £4M.

Regarding Kepa, cost Chelsea £71M, and now sold for £5M says everything, and I bet he's on a lot bigger salary than Travers?

Annika, you didn't answer Ryan's question. Based on your hours of football watching, who would you have preferred to sign?

Of course you will take what Gunner has to say with a pinch of salt. Being as you are the expert.

If he was such a good back up, Bournemouth would have made more of an effort to keep him.

Are you suggesting I am lying about how much football I watch Mike? Because that’s how I am reading it.

So after your hours of watching football, the only back up keepers you mention are ones we let go?

Why haven’t these two got new club’s yet?
If they’re so good then they would have been snapped up

If Travers is so good, why were we the only team wanting to buy him?

Kepa bought for £72m, sold for £5m. But his book value was probably, so a £5m psr profit on a player they didnt want.

The money they make out of the market in transfer gains and loan fees, all part of the financial alchemy.

Then you said Arsenal fans were unhappy with their new back up GK.

I gave you links to a threads where some were happy.

Then you said, after your many hours of football watching, there were better back up goalkeepers around.

How do you know no other teams wanted to buy him?
I asked you which ones and then you said Begovic and Virginia.

I also take at face value Moyes' decision that neither of his inherited backup keepers met his standards for the ability to replace Pickford in case of accidents. Virginia in particular seemed to impress exactly zero of his managers, not just his four at Everton but out on loan as well, enough to give him a real opportunity.

But amongst our rivals there’s no exciting business done.

Bournemouth are weaker without Huijsen and Kerkez

West Ham are weaker without Kudus

Palace are weaker without Mitchell

Wolves are weaker without Cunha and Ait Nouri

Forest have lost Elanga and Gibbs White could follow

Brentford look wobbly for various reasons

They can recruit of course because there’s a while to go. But we’ve secured Branthwaite and now brought 3 players in. Not too bad.

But it's true that the PL teams who have significantly strengthened in the window are all teams that we weren't about to catch this season anyway.

Defensively they're a shambles, with an iffy keeper.

Kudus well might replace Son, and Gibbs White replace Maddison.

But whats the point of doing that when the defence is that bad.

Mike @ 75, sorry I took some time to reply. I was watching some more football. This time from South America. You know the stuff that people question I watch?

As for replacements Travers must have been on the radar, and there must be someone like Dubravka available, but whether he will want to be an understudy again is unknown.

Maybe they’ll sell Gordon to them lot and we have a sell on clause

Maybe they’ll sell Gordon to them lot and we have a sell on clause

I do think Brentford could struggle in the context of their recent standards.

They are likely to lose a couple of their best players and just as important, they've lost the coach who helped build and shape that team.

It could be a tricky season for them compared to what they have recently been used to.

It isn't an Ange problem. It's a Dna issue of spending a £110m on attacking players, and 10p on the defence.

Famously came third in a two horse race with Leicester. Champagne players rather than a strong spine. They put Ledley King on a plinth, and he only played 268 games in 13 seasons.

Liverpool got it right when they spent big money on Van Dijk and Allison. If you want to compete, you cant skimp there.

4m is more than we spent in a whole summer not long ago !

Getting the CM is most important imo. Yes RB, RW and LB cover too, but we need a guy to control a match, dictate our attacks & create chances.

Which Evertonian, wouldn’t take something similar?

That was a very sensible post Ian B, because not many teams win the biggest honours without having a real defensive discipline, which is something that I think Dyche, instilled into Everton, whilst he was boring us to tears!

Because of this key aspect, maybe we were not as far away as we thought? I’m just trying to be positive but, Who knows?

A dismal season, but a European trophy and Champions League qualification as a result.

Equally as much as I'm interested to see how Brentford get on without Thomas Frank, it will be interesting to see how Thomas Frank gets on at Tottenham with Daniel Levy breathing down his neck.

Not very giamourous, but it all screams well-run business to me so far.

Still 4 million wasted for me

Football has really changed since everyone started playing out from the back, and sometimes these foreign managers, put a massive emphasis on a goalkeeper’s ability with the ball at his feet, above anything else?

I’m wondering what this side of his game is like, thinking this might explain why we have got him relatively cheap?

It will be a second string team, maybe with a few first team featuring.

I generally agree there are enough good keepers to bring in on a free or on loan but I think a fee of £4m to £5m for the next 4 to 5 years is good business. His wages will be relatively cheap and I think he will definitely get some playing time.

I agree with Tony @102, Travers ability to stay calm and pass out from the back was a weakness and therefore didn't fit Bournemouths style. He's more like Pickford, a good shot stopper and hit and miss temperament.

I prefer a big, commanding keeper which are getting rarer these days. I used to think Forster could become a top keeper but he proved to be too error prone.

Then I wrote off Donnarumma as being nothing but a big shakey stick but has found form again and pulls off some brilliant saves.

I don't often read all posts but with time to waste I have allowed myself to smile reading some petty comments above.

To answer the Q, I'd be in for the German u21 goalkeeper. Looked solid, as did a few others.

We can be absolutely certain it was one or the other.

Neither circumstance would allow for extending his contract.

I look at it like this (rightly or wrongly)

He’ll cost 4m plus bonuses over a 4 year terms if it is 4 year deal.

If our turnover goes to £250m that is a billion pound taken in that period.

4m is absolutely nothing and we will probably sell him in 3 years or so

It's a mute point now I guess.
Though like a few others on here, it feels like 4m wasted.

As has been the case for years now, we need every penny to be used wisely.

I do hope, as others have suggested this fee may indicate we have more in the coffers🤞

It must be important as Ryan bored us all to death by asking it 500 times.

Over to Ryan for the answer?

Si @ 115, Travers isn’t a keeper I rate. That’s my opinion and nothing in your post changes that. The same as my opinion won’t change anyone who disagrees with me. We actually released 4 keeper, not 2.

So, as far as I am concerned, Travers is a waste of 4 million. What is the point in keep buying young keepers,, then releasing them years later for free?

How will we ever know if any of our keepers are good enough if we never give them a chance?

In all the years I and my Father have posted on TW, we have respected everyone’s opinion, whilst disagreeing with many. But my opinion is mine and nothing an effort to change anyone else’s.

The same as in this instance. I don’t think Travers is, at best, anything more than an average keeper. So I see no sense in releasing 4 keepers for free, only to pay 4 million to bring him in.

Therefore I don’t consider it a hill I died on because it’s my opinion and nothing said on this thread will change that

One, Moyes didn't sign any of them.

And two, Moyes didn't think any of them were good enough for Everton. Else he wouldn't have turned them loose.

Clearly the people whose 4 million it is, don't think it's a waste to spend it on this keeper.

So a reasonably competent keeper but maybe looking for some game time somewhere else, maybe in a lower league? Especially as it's his second stint with us and can see it's going nowhere.

Virginia while having some good reviews has not had a run of games in the EPL, so hard to judge his worth as a spectator. Maybe our coaching team and manager want someone with more EPL experience and Travers possibly provides that.

The other goalkeeper release is just a joke to suggest he might be backup to Pickford.

Travis is a strange one though, at 26 he should be starting his prime as a goalie and be first choice somewhere, not on a bench behind an unmoveable obstruction. Pickford at 31 has got a good 4+ years left in him so Travers is not going to feature much and by the time Pickford needs replacing he's 30+ himself.

On the young keeper point and our keepers in general, we have England's No 1, who has been one of the most important reasons we have remained in the Premier League the past 3 seasons. He has matured and is less prone to his brain fart moments. He's even stopped losing his head at St James' Park, where he receives a lot of stick.

He is fit for the majority of the time, so it would be very difficult for them and even and experienced keeper like Begovic to get a look in. If fit, he plays.

Not just goalkeepers, it is common at this time of year to start releasing academy players. We've retained the ones the management wanted to and released those they saw no future for at Everton. Every club will be doing it.

We're in phase one of a rebuild. New players will come in, others will go out.

As for the £4m, I wouldn't get concerned. It would seem obvious to me that the management wanted and we needed the.player. It will have been passed up the food chain for approval as it's not like they've given Moyes a blank cheque book and free reign to go shopping at will.

The powers that be have zxxuminbly sanctioned it, so we can afford it within budget, whatever that might be. Another thing some get concerned about. Are we skint? We don't know. Kinnear, acting on behalf of his masters in Houston TX, will know his parameters, and if he needs more, he will approach TFG in an Oliver Twist style approach.

Of course we are not going to be in a position to spend like Chelsea already have, but I think.we might surprise some who worry about what we spend. But it's not our concern.

I understand the concerns, probably scars from the Moshiri era. But I have every confidence that this regime won't be reckless and won't sanction anything that financially threatens the club.

Is it me or are youngsters getting older these days?

Surely he, and Chermiti, should be old enough to step up from promising youngster to first team squad by now?

Isnt Harry good enough to be back up to Pickford?

He's big and quick and got rave reviews at Blackpool last season with 12 clean sheets, and his manager Steve Bruce openly wants to buy him from us permanently:

“We’d like him to stay, it’s about whether that’s possible because he’s not ours. The growth we’ve put into him has been huge, he’s got better each week. He certainly feels and looks far more comfortable than he was six months ago, but I suppose that is inevitable when you keep playing."

But League One is the highest level he's played at, and if he's not going to be our #2 this season, I'm guessing it's for one of two reasons. Either Moyes doesn't consider him ready for the Prem, or he'd rather have him grow on loan (Championship?) than sit behind Picks. Or both.

That doesn’t mean I am right either. But it is my opinion. Only time will tell who is right.

So I don’t really care about the people who sanction the sales, it’s not as if they get it right 100% of the time either is it?

Tyrer hasn't been used or tested outside the Academy.

Travers has played 70 games for Bournemouth, more for various clubs on loan and represented the Republic of Ireland senior team on a few occasions.

As for Chermiti, on that thread, I was for keeping him. We need 3 strikers in case of injury or suspension. Plus, we're stepping into the unknown with Barry and he may take time to adjust.

If we loan or sell Chermiti, we'd have to get a replacement.

Off thread, reading that Mason Holgate looks set for a move to Al Gharafa in Qatar.

£4M isn't a huge fee, and his wages aren't massive. The likelihood is he could still be sold for that fee if he's time left on his contract. Is the money wasted? Probably not.

Is it imaginative? No. Imaginative is putting £4M down on a £10-12M keeper, that will be worth £25M in 2 years time or who could replace Pickford in time. But without European football and tight budget, I guess that position is off the table.

Tyrer has done well enough in the lower leagues, but I'd be surprised if he did make it in the Premier League. He's going to need to be in around the Championship soon to get that experience level under his belt.

Douglas Lukjanciks seems the bright young thing that top clubs were chasing. Played 20 U18 games, he needs some good loans in the coming years.

If you actually read the thread it wasn't me saying this back up goalkeeper isn't good enough.

I'm okay with the signing. It makes the gap from Number 1 to Number 2 goalkeeper smaller for a cheap fee.

I'll look forward to seeing where Begovic and Virginia end up.

I can't comment on your knowledge of the player, as I don't recall watching him play. I may have, but probably took no notice. I'm just assuming you have. And that isn't questioning you, by the way.

It's been an interesting thread. Earlier, I did question the logic of releasing two keepers, but it happened, so it's not really a debate. For whatever reason, they've left the club. Be that a club decision, a player decision or mutual consent. Either way, they don't represent Everton anymore.

Back to Tyrer. He is listed in the first team squad, which makes sense as most clubs have at least 3 keepers. Could he go back outon loan? Possibly, but we would surely build in a call-back clause, because if anything happened to Pickford, we'd be down to one.

I wish I hadn't read that post of yours as it brought to mind that fairly modern saying that has passed into legend: "Houston, we have a problem".

Not sure Begovic or Virginia would have done.

But if Jordan tries to cut VVDickhead in half again and is missing for 3 games, or picks up an injury or is ill etc, then the "back-up keeper" is first choice. Hence, £4M is, hopefully, money well spent, although I'm still intrigued as to why Virginia was not retained.

Although, to be fair, I am not sure either Crellin or Leban were good eough. Maybe they nhadn't progressed at all.

I won't go into the whole "Is he good enough?" or "Who else was available?" It's irrelevant now.

Good luck, Travers. Welcome to the mighty blues.

Huge signing!

Tyrer hasn't been used or tested outside the Academy.

Might have to have you sit in the corner on the naughty step for that one, Danny. The ToffeeWeb Fact Checker says you seem to be completely ignoring (or deliberately devaluing) a decent spell out on loan as the main goalkeeper for Blackpool in League One last season.

A total of 42 games in League One, FA Cup and EFL Trophy. I think there were stories of them wanting him back, but that ain't gonna happen.

Anyway, they are gone and Travers is now an Everton player, as anticipated, so I'll welcome him to the club. Listening to his interview, he understands the situation is happy to be here and looking forward to working with Pickford and help Tyrer.

I hope Tyrer develops quick, because as it stands, if anything happens to Pickford, he steps up as No 2 GK. God forbid Travers picks a know, then he gets a field promotion.

I would like to say we use them in the early rounds of the cups, but I'm fed up of Everton doing that and falling foul of it. Pick the strongest team to start, win the tie, then bring them off. Not the other way around and chase the game.

I want us to go for a trophy this season. There is no reason we can't.

I was referring to his Everton career.

I just hope we don't loan him again, or we'll probably need another keeper.

What is the point of football anymore?

We could have got not a hell of a lot for that in any other position.

What are people complaining about?

I recall most of the players absolutely loathed him.

Fortunately he was replaced by another Norwich connection (and Everton striking icon) Joe Royle.

I was at Chelsea when Paul Rideout scored to give us a 1-0 away win - can older heads on here confirm that was Joe Royle's first game as Manager?

3rd game I think.

Second match I think Chelsea 0-1

Third match Leeds 3-0

I was actually talking about Leban in my previous comment

Most recently just this past January when he shut us out, although that's a generous description since we didn't manage a single shot on goal that day.

He also shut us out there in 2022. Three saves.

And you see him every time you watch the replay of Doucoure scoring THAT goal -- because he was the keeper left frozen by that volley.

Travers has been out of the picture for Ireland recently, behind Kelleher and O'Leary. The latter is now injured long-term. But it doesn't seem likely he'll get enough games with us to get back in frame.

Quotes from his signing today:

“I’m extremely proud and excited to be an Everton player.

“Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in.

“It’s a fresh start for me to come up here and try a new chapter in my career.

“It’s a really exciting time to be part of this massive football club and I just can’t wait to get going.”

“Jordan [Pickford] is an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. I’m looking forward to competing with everyone here and being a Premier League player.

“Being in this environment is huge. We’re going to push each other every day in training and whatever happens on the weekend, we’re going to be there for each other and make the most of every opportunity that comes.

“It’s always really exciting to work with a new group and being able to help the younger lads as well. I’ll give it everything. I’ll take pride in doing the right things on and off the pitch and representing this club with a lot of pride.”

Not exactly original stuff. Right out of the cliche' machine.

Ryan #142, it's where he's from.

I wouldn't have had clue who he was or whether he was Bournemouth's first choice keeper.

OK, on closer inspection it's two pages, could be the Agreement section with all the standard T&Cs as an attachment.

But still, his pen is hovering not over the signature page, but over the first page.

Now go and get a pacy, goal scoring RW, a hardworking CM who can create and a dynamic RB who can defend well but also get up and down the line all day please!

Some very well run clubs - including the RS - have shown the way.

Douglas Luiz
Franca
Bakayoko

I don’t have time to watch hours of football like Annika (just joking)!!

Joining Everton affords Travers another chance to show what he can do, provided he can impress sufficiently to take a decent share of the minutes on offer. Moyes, meanwhile, now has someone to properly compete with Pickford.

But the new one cost £4M.

Annika, you seem very negative and concise on this matter.

Back-up keepers tend by their very nature to be average or prospects. Often towards the end of the career and described as "good in the dressing room" or "a safe pair of hands".

At least we've signed a keeper with Premier League experience and potential.

Have a lovely day, all.

Clearly we can afford this purchase with ease. And he's a keeper that Davey clearly likes better.

I already thought this was a good signing, but had I not, that would have convinced me. One of the joys of debate on this site, actually of debate anywhere, is the possibility of having one's opinion changed by a good argument.

Last happened with me when my views on Duncan Ferguson were changed positively by some good points. Having entrenched opinions isn't always good.

Anikka has made his opinion on Travers very clear, which is his right, having watched him a lot more than me.

I still think a few are scarred from the Moshiri years and worry about spending. I doubt this regime will descend into that level of financial recklessness. So I don't concern myself about it. If the proposal put forward get's approval, then the board and owners believe it is affordable and worth the investment.

Andy, always torn on Duncan. Loved his passion, loved his connection with the club and supporters. As I've said many times, from my point of view, his disappointed as much as he gave us great moments.

Joe Royle summed it up perfectly early days, when he said Duncan was in danger of becoming a legend before he became a player.

Even you, who watches lots of football, can't name one single better alternative.

The 14 year old has represented England U15s and will join up with the Everton U15s this season.