Everton youngster Brendan Galloway ready to be next John Stones

When John Stones made his Everton debut at the age of 19, he had just 22 senior appearances to his name at former club Barnsley, but he has been a star since, earning two England caps in the process. And now the Toffees have just the man to follow in his footsteps.

So highly was he regarded at MK Dons that a fee in the region of £2m was mooted to be what the Merseyside club paid for Brendan Galloway back in the summer including add-ons, and if early reports are to go by, that could have been a wise investment.

The 18-year-old has been a shining light in the Everton U21 team so far this campaign, picking up the man of the match award in their recent 3-1 over Southampton, a game Roberto Martinez had opted to watch.

And now, the England U19 international has stated that he is ready for a step up into the senior team at Goodison Park.

“I’d like to think I’m close to the first-team. I work hard every day and do extras because I want to take those centre-back places in the first-team”, he told the Liverpool Echo.

“I look at John [Stones] and see that he has played for England seniors as well and that’s massive. And it’s a big thing that the gaffer puts trust in the youngsters,” he added.

While Martinez remains likely to send the defender out on loan before promoting him to senior duty, U21s coach, and former Everton centre-back himself, David Unsworth, has been delighted with the impact Galloway has made.

“His talent is there for all to see and he has application every single day in training.

“His performances have been top class. We are really, really happy with him.

“Brendan has had massive exposure to the first-team, training with them and being around the manager, his staff and the players,” the once-capped England international stated.

While he may not quite get his wish of a first-team debut this season, the signs are bright for Galloway.

And with the likes of Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, and Antolin Alcaraz all now in their 30s (some deeper than others), the opportunity to blood new talent into the squad could be an option to take up should the Toffees secure their Premier League safety with games to spare.

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