Roberto Martinez has said that last night’s sterling performance from Conor McAleny in the U21’s has not got unnoticed by first team coaches Graham Jones, Duncan Ferguson and Dennis Lawrence.
The striker played 90 minutes, scored two goals – including a lovely effort from 20 yards, and he could have scored more. Not only in the goals, McAleny was a stand-out performer, and this was picked up by the viewing fans and coaches.
Martinez spoke to EvertonTV today and told of how McAleny was performing brilliantly for Brentford in his loan spell earlier this season, before a horrible injury led to a tough task of recovering not only from the injury, but also mentally. The Blues manager went on to say that he did this incredibly well and the 21 year old looked at it with a positive mindset and has done excellently to return early and in good form from the minute he returned to Under 21 action.
In terms of the future for young Conor, Martinez said he will be looking to see if there are any potential suitors for a loan deal to take place before the season ends, before joining up with the first team squad in pre-season of next season, where he will stay if he can shine.
I can’t see why we will not give him a go,but will move heaven and earth to let Traore get Premiership minutes.Charity begins at home,surely.These kids of ours seem to get a raw deal,at times.Shuffled off on loan,while foreign kids get to play in the Prem. Duffy and Co don’t complain,do their bit and apparently exceedingly well,never seem to get near the first team,and eventually leave for the Championship,where they inevitably shine.
Win, that was under the old regime- I believe RM will give these youth the chance, he is talking them up but giving them a go on loan first is the ideal step to assess how they handle first team football- good management with a carrot dangled for the lad for confidence