Ronald Koeman has challenged Everton’s younger players to follow the lead of Tom Davies following his man-of-the-match showing against Manchester City.
Davies was influential as the Blues opened the scoring against Pep Guardiola’s side and also recorded his first goal for the club later on in the 4-0 rout.
The midfielder was joined on the score sheet by fellow teenager and new signing Ademola Lookman as Koeman enjoyed his best performance as Everton manager.
And the Dutchman has thrown down the gauntlet to Goodison Park’s young guns to emulate Davies and burgeoning full-back Mason Holgate in staking a first-team claim.
He said: “It’s not all about young players.
“I like to bring in young players but of course you cannot play 11 20-year-old boys this afternoon. They are for the future.
“But if like Tom Davies, like Holgate, if they bring the performance and the level then I will be the first to put them on the list. That’s what I like.
“We need balance in the team with the young boys, with the signing of [Morgan] Schneiderlin we have better balance in the team and finally a strong team.”