Tyias Browning believes Everton’s up-and-coming youngsters will improve under the guidance of new boss Roberto Martinez.
The 19-year-old defender has been at the Club’s Academy for eight years and found himself in the middle of the first-team’s pre-season camp in Austria this month after a solid campaign for the Under-21s.
Indeed, so impressive was his season at the back, Browning was presented with the Ena Jones Trophy on Monday, an award for the Shareholders’ Association’s Outstanding Young Player of the Year.
With his name now engraved alongside those of Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell, Victor Anichebe and Wayne Rooney, the Liverpool-born youngster finds himself in fine company.
And with new boss Martinez already highlighting his desire to blood homegrown talent, Browning has been loving the chance to work closely with his new tutor.
“He’s very helpful,” Browning told evertontv. “He talks to us a lot, he’s very technical and I think he’ll make a lot of us better players.”
On Austria itself, the versatile defender admitted it was a challenge, but one he relished.
Earning 45 minutes on the pitch against Austria Vienna was a pleasing reward for the hard work – and Browning hopes his summers continue to be fruitful under the Spaniard.
He said: “It was tough. I know pre-seasons are supposed to be tough, but it was an opportunity.
“I thought I did quite well and hopefully I’ll be on the next five pre-seasons too.”