[ad_pod ]

David Unsworth is the man with all the knowledge regarding Everton’s current crop of youngsters who are hoping to break into the senior squad, and his assessment on Kyle John suggests that he is one for the supporters to keep a very close eye on.

What’s the word?

John put pen to paper on his first senior contract this week in a deal which will see him tied down until 2021.

It was a proud moment for an 18-year-old who has risen through the ranks this season and made the step up from the U18’s to the U23’s.

Everton’s decision to offer him terms on a senior deal arrives just a few months after Unsworth sung his praises, per Liverpool echo.

“Kyle did great for Paul Tait in the Under-18s at the start of the season,” Unsworth said in November.

“John Ebbrell, Franny [Jeffers] and I have watched him, and we thought he had the ability and physicality to step up.

“He started training with us a couple of months ago and he’s cemented that right-back place. He looks a real class act. He is a great boy and if he continues to progress as he has done since he’s been with us, he’s got a very bright future.”

Clearly, John has showcased a huge level of promise this season and the fact he has been offered a senior deal just a few months after moving into the U23 side hints that he is developing rapidly.

Future first-team potential

The Toffees are a club with a strong history of blooding academy products into the first-team, and John could be the next talent to make the step up into the senior squad.

Unsworth’s comments strongly point towards that outcome and with a senior deal now in place it seems that the foundations have been laid for a future breakthrough.

A right-back by trade who can also operate in central midfield, Marco Silva may be inclined to provide further competition for Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny by promoting the exciting teenager into his squad.