Everton have often produced talented midfielders in their academy with Leon Osman, Ross Barkley and Jack Rodwell just a few of the players who had their start with the Toffees.
Now with Frank Lampard managing the senior squad, Everton have a young manager who is renowned for his eye for youth talent which will be an exciting prospect for those players hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of academy graduate Anthony Gordon.
As a result, it would be no surprise that now the former Chelsea boss is settled in at Goodison Park he can start to build and adapt his very own squad, as well as integrate youth prospects into his future plans for the team.
One player who has been rising through the ranks of the academy, earning first-team training sessions and a place in the pre-season squad that travelled to America, is Isaac Price.
The talented midfielder has tallied up 70 appearances in which has scored five goals and registered four assists at youth level during his time at the club. He also made his Premier League debut under Lampard in the final game of last season against Arsenal.
Just like the aforementioned Barkley, Price is an attacking-minded midfielder often occupying the most advanced role in the centre of the pitch and could follow in the footsteps of the former Everton prodigy by breaking through in the first team most regularly.
The 19-year-old – who was dubbed “impressive” by journalist Adam Jones – has been a key player in Everton’s EFL Youth Trophy campaign this season and has been displaying his many talents that could be hugely valuable to Lampard.
Over two appearances, Price has scored one goal and completed 100% of his dribbles, demonstrating that like Barkley, he is adept at progressing the ball forward and causing a threat in the final third.
Crucially, he also has the vision to unlock a defence, averaging two key passes a match, while he is also willing to work hard defensively. Indeed, the teenager has made one interception, 2.5 tackles and three clearances per game.
All of those numbers indicate that he is a complete midfielder who can offer both fantastic attacking and defensive attributes.
With that being said, the future is looking bright for the talented youngster and if he can continue to flourish in the youth academy, as well as prove himself in the first-team training opportunities he gets, he could become their next Barkley-esque discovery from the Finch Farm academy.
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