Whither Welch if Stones is being considered?

So he can't play in the Premier League. Simples.

“I've been at this club since I was seven years old and seen so many players come through the academy into the first team and I've always wanted to be one of those. Now I've been in and around there, it inspires me to take the next step.

“I want to kick on in the first team, look to make a few more appearances and show what I'm about. I want to wear this blue shirt in the Premier League and, long-term, help Everton to success.

“Everton fans want hard work, dedication and passion for the Club and if I can give that, hopefully I'll be able to do a good job for Everton.”

Then there's his loan with KMSK Deinze (Who?) in Belgium's second tier. Reece Welch joined them on a season-long loan from Everton in September 2024, but the move was cut short just a few months later. Great idea for young up-and-coming stars of the Academy, this loan business...

His loan ended prematurely due to severe off-pitch issues at the club. Reports indicate that KMSK Deinze faced significant financial trouble, including a bankruptcy declaration that led the club to cease operations at that time. Oh bugger... but he musta got some decent experience while he was there? Otherwise, what's the point?

No... turns out his time on the pitch was very limited. He played in only 3 matches total for the Belgian side — two in the league and one in the cup. Since returning from Belgium, he has been playing for Everton U21s, but now at 22 he's getting to be too old for that.

Seems certain his contract will be allowed to run down and he will walk away from 15 years at the club with nothing to show for it on either side. Stones coming back would just rub salt in what I imagine would be very deep wounds.

He won't be the first youth player to represent England Youth but not go on to forge a top-flight career.

Peter Clarke, Steven Schumacher, Ryan Ledson, JonJoe Kenny, Lewis Gibson, Liam Walsh, Luke Garbutt etc etc etc.

There are many more, and I think it's a sad reflection that promising kids have gone to academies, earnt a couple of bob, and seen careers stall. Perhaps it does reflect that 18 odd players are just kept on to be teammates for that one bet that might make it. Pretty humbling when players & parents have put their lives on hold from U7s till U21s to be a support cast.

I often wonder, if they'd have gone on to better things by going to a League One or Two side, how many more kids would be coming through the system?

I say "Big Clubs" but Category 1 is now up to 29 Clubs, so half of the Championship are in there too, each with let's say two 20-man squads to provide the numbers at U18 and U21. That's at least 1,200 'elite' academy players hoping to make their mark... but in most cases, just "making up the numbers" instead.

Something that Tony might have insight on...

Bit of a strange article. Were you still holding out hope for Welch?

I know defenders sometimes mature more slowly but Pennington for example had made more of a mark by this age before going to the lower leagues.

That said, I don't want us to blow a fortune on an injury-prone Stones for nostalgia reasons. That would be a classic Kenwright move.

Reece Welch has had a few opportunities at senior level, has been loaned out several times, but at senior level has never cut the mustard.

There is a decent player in there but at a more junior level of football. He will hopefully forge a decent career at a lower level and I wish him well, but John Stones comparisons being pushed out... seriously?

This could be being leaked now to soften up the support but taking players who have turned 30 merely delays any cash outlay for a couple of seasons at best and while Keane's contract may be up this season what is the situation with Tarkowski.

As for Welch, what goes on at our Academy that it takes 15 years to decide if players are good enough? We should be taking them on at a later age, after Primary school albeit it seems the way of most Premier League clubs. Or let them go earlier... or are the coaching staff frightened they will make it elsewhere?

Thank heavens we have our super duper if silent Transfer Committee, assuming he who has the final word will be here next season.

I doubt Man City are looking to extend his contract even as he's not featured for them that much for a few seasons now and they have surely moved on from him?

But if Keane's time is up, we'll need a stop-gap replacement for him for a few seasons until we sign a right-back, and Stones will be on a free.

Most of our academy products never make it at top flight level, many are lucky if they even forge a career in the Championship.

People think the step up from the Under-21s to the men's first team and Premier League is a small one, it's not, it's a massive gulf these days and anyone who watches the Under-21s can tell you the same.

It would never happen, but there's an argument that a draft system of talent going into league clubs would be a better useage of resources.

I often hear that the players are receiving the best coaching in the world and the best facilities. And that without that level of support, players will never go unnoticed into the professional game like days gone past, as they've missed years of academy development.

It begs the question, why the academies are producing so little?

The loan system has got to be used, Michael, because at the end of the day, the goal is to make these young players ready for men's football, and whatever way you dress it up, Under-21s simply isn't men's football.

I got told years ago that Reece wouldn't make it by a genuine football man who was working at Everton, because he felt that the kid wasn't brave enough to be a central defender, and this is possibly why he his still playing junior football now.

I don't know, I haven't watched him, but I've heard he's comfortable in possession but isn't a great defender... similar to Nathan Patterson, maybe?

It's great teaching kids how to play football but, at the end of the day, they aren't going to be kids forever, and players have got to be taught the dirty side of the game. Otherwise what is the point exactly?

I always remember it as being a mixture of up-and-coming youth and older professionals working their way back from injury. Gotta have been a good experience for both?

I remember Moise Keane coming over and my initial thought was that the kid is coming to a foreign country and a different style of football, so surely the best way for young foreign kids to learn and adapt would be by playing proper competitive football?

It will never happen, Eric (never say never -- especially when you look at the yearly budgets for a lot of lower league clubs and realise certain Premier League players earn just as much in a month) but I think having a feeder club to help develop younger players in the cut and thrust of real men's competitive football would make the most sense to me.

Stones is finished, his age and injury record are against him, but that won't bother Davey Boy, oh no! I honestly feared this would happen under him, he'll spunk a load of cash on ageing players with a defensive mindset.

He just can't help himself, can he, he's learned nothing from his past mistakes.

It might only be a fallacy but doesn't legend give way to a story about David telling his Manchester United team all about how good Phil Jagielka was?

No wonder he was laughed out of the place.

I'll get my coat.

Give him some action, we're safe Dave, good job.

I think he played him at right back before he later switched to centre back.

Too many injuries now for him to return, though I’m sure City would like to offload his wages, hence the media speculation.

Stones is good on his day but more injury prone now. He had speed and could fill in at right back but I would prefer not getting him if there are better options available.

Moyes was not at the club when Stones made his debut.

So you are correct.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-scout-who-convinced-david-10015883

He has an issue with a thigh muscle apparently,prevents him from booting the ball 80 yards up the pitch to a forward marked by 2 sometimes 3,with no other Everton player within 40 yards of the forward.

Surely two full-backs and a striker are the priority.

“David always used to say to me that as well as looking for first-team players, look out for the best young players,” the 57-year-old said.

“But I knew he was (that good) and David always wanted to bring in the best young kids, as long as they fit into our budget.

“But playing at Everton, alongside Phil Jagielka,...will bring him on even more.

Calm and composed, better than most defensive central midfield players in possession. I thought he was an absolute credit and a joy to watch that night.

I still laugh at him shushing a panicked crowd after they screamed at him to "just get rid" in a home game.

He then made a complete Cheshire Cat of himself by boasting he got him for less than he actually did.

It's a different game, you suddenly have people creeping up behind you on the blindside as well as less people in front of you showing for the ball, but I haven't seen many central defenders hold their own playing in midfield down the years, mate.

I remember one at Forest, two if you include Johnny Metgod, because I remember Clough signing a central defender from Leyton Orient (Colin Foster) and next thing I knew the bastard was playing a few Central League games in midfield, whilst a proper midfielder - like myself was back sitting on the bench or in the stand!!

You will know better than me how long it takes to settle into a new position.

He doesnt strike me as a man who would go into too much detail on the opposition

In that game vs Stoke, the crowd were screaming at him. I was one of them, because he was dribbling in the 6-yard box and I think he was responsible for either giving a penalty away in the last few minutes or for one of Stokes 3rd or 4th goals as we went from 3-2 up to 3-4 down.

He was young and very fuckin' foolish in that game, he was awful but I did like him!

I know where you're coming from but I love kids with the confidence to express themselves.

Yes, he had plenty of talent, even at that early age. He went on to prove it and get us a substantial fee from Man City and earn himself plenty of medals, England caps and keep his bank manager more than happy.

I remember going into the changing room at Goodison after Everton beat Forest 1-0, just after the New Year (it could have been a lot more) and Clough was fuming. Not with his players but at the football commentator Brian Moore:

"I've just bumped into Brian Moore and he has just told me he thought Everton were brilliant, the cheeky bastard. I told him they've got a team of internationals and have got a right to be brilliant, but don't worry because you won't play many teams as good as they were today, and you lot will learn a lot from today, so don't forget -- you have been brilliant for me."