Everton’s Tom Davies has been nominated for the European Golden Boy award.
The midfielder is enjoying a flourishing start to his senior Blues career and recorded a second goal of the season against Leicester City last weekend.
Earlier this month Ronald Koeman rewarded Davies’ rich vein of form with a new five-year deal, less than 12 months since he had penned a similar contract.
And the 18-year-old’s ascent has been further recognised by his inclusion in the 40-man shortlist for the award organised by Italian newspaper Tuttosport.
Ex-Everton striker Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, World Cup winner Mario Gotze and Paul Pogba have all been previous winners of the Golden Boy accolade.
Davies, the nephew of 1970 league title winner Alan Whittle, faces competition from a host of high-profile European players to win this year’s award.
Among them are Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe, new Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and Davies’ Liverpool counterpart Ben Woodburn.
John Stones was the last Everton player to be nominated for the award in 2014 which was won by erstwhile Anfield winger Raheem Sterling.