Source: Telegraph
Everton hero Dan Gosling an inspiration to young talent
"It's a lesson to any young boy who wants to play Premier League football," the Scot smiled. "We're not far off from giving you a game." It was a throwaway remark, but it contained a kernel of truth. To a young hopeful wanting the best stage on which to showcase his talents, the Big Four are all but a closed shop. Insiders at Liverpool, for one, admit that only young players of once-in-a-generation quality would have any hope of being cast into the first team. [LNB]Across Stanley Park, though, young British talent is thriving. In January last year, Gosling was plucked from Plymouth for just £500,000 upfront, with the same amount due again dependent on the player reaching certain targets with Everton. [LNB]No doubt Liverpool's battle-hardened, internationally capped defenders were hardly overcome with fear to see Gosling replace Marouane Fellaini after 52 minutes on Wednesday. Just four first team appearances to his name, 19 last Monday, and looks like he should be doing his GCSE coursework, not calmly curling the ball beyond Pepe Reina with a penalty shootout just two minutes away to set up a fifth-round tie with Aston Villa. [LNB]As Martin Skrtel and Alvaro Arbeloa will testify, looks can be deceptive. Pretty much every penny of that bargain fee was repaid, at least in the eyes of Everton fans, with that strike in the 118th minute of the 212th Merseyside derby. [LNB]Moyes is certain there is much more to come. The Scot believes Gosling will soon be a regular in Everton's first team, although that is more likely to be at right back than in his favoured central midfield role. [LNB]International recognition from England at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level suggests that full honours await as he develops. [LNB]It is not just Gosling, though. Jack Rodwell, a product of the club's academy, came on against Liverpool and his languid style compared favourably with an out-of-touch Xabi Alonso. Victor Anichebe might be in hot water after his training-ground row with Moyes, but he and fellow striker James Vaughan remain fine prospects. [LNB]Next in line are the likes of Lukas Jutkiewicz, a Polish striker, midfielder John-Paul Kissock and forward Jose Baxter, the only Premier League player named after an Argentine guerrilla and younger even than Wayne Rooney when he first donned Everton's royal blue shirt. [LNB]As Gosling said after his goal: "I wasn't that nervous at all coming on. The lads are all really supportive and if you make a few mistakes they just encourage you." Just as at Aston Villa, it is outside the Premier League behemoths where young players can grow and mature in peace and quiet, unburdened by sky-high expectations and with more than one chance to prove themselves. Just as at Aston Villa, that may be the key to Everton joining, and toppling, the giants. [LNB]
