This article brought to you courtesy of BetWright.
In a recent exclusive interview, Royal Blue Mersey were able to speak with former Evertonian Michael Ball on a variety of topics. The first of those was a question about the youth system, and if it was easier for a youngster to get playing opportunities with the first team back in his day. Born on Merseyside, Ball made his Everton debut at the age of 17 and would go on to make 136 appearances for the Blues playing is favoured position at left back,
scoring nine times.
Geoff: You came through the old youth set up at a time when Everton were in a similar league position to the Everton of recent seasons. You weren’t the only one there was also Richard Dunne, Michael Branch, Franny Jeffers, Danny Cadamarteri, Gavin McCann all of whom played many times for the Blues under both Howard Kendall and Walter Smith.
What’s the difference now? Why aren’t more younger players being given at least small opportunities under David Moyes?
Michael:
“I think it starts at the top. Howard Kendall signed me as a schoolboy, and there was a clear plan to bring in the best young players from around the city.
“Ray Hall was running the academy and Jimmy Gabriel was one of my coaches. They had close relationships with the manager, so there was a clear route into first-team training when they felt somebody was ready.
“We also had reserve-team football. You could play alongside experienced players coming back from injury, which gave you confidence and showed you what you needed to improve.
“My reserve-team debut was against Manchester United and Karel Poborský, not long after he had played at the Euros. If you could hold your own against somebody like that, the manager had something tangible to judge you on.”
“Young players now do not get enough of those opportunities. Playing against people your own age is different from facing senior professionals.
“I don’t think it is only an Everton problem. Modern football demands immediate results, managers do not get much time and that can make them reluctant to take risks.
“When we were thrown in, nobody expected us to be the finished article. If we did well, it was a bonus. If we struggled, we could go away, develop and get another opportunity.
“You cannot really know whether somebody is ready until you give them a chance. That is what frustrates supporters, because they want to see young players coming through.”
Ball hits upon a number of pertinent points, but it remains puzzling how Harrison Armstrong has become a fixture in the Everton first team but players like Tyler Dibling who had more Premier League experience than him has struggled to get on the pitch. Even Hayden Hackney who was the Championship Player of the Year last season is not getting any starts under Moyes despite shining whenever he has gotten the chance to play.
Meanwhile young forward Braiden Graham continues to be named to the matchday squad just about every week but has yet to see even a minute of playing time, even in games that were settled beyond doubt like the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle and Friday night’s 3-1 triumph over Coventry City.
Our thanks again to BetWright who facilitated the Zoom call with Michael Ball.
