Tom Davies: Everton’s rising star

On the eve of the emphatic performance against Manchester City, in which a young Evertonian was awarded man of the match, people are starting to ask “who is Tom Davies?”

The promising young talent was recently introduced to the starting eleven by manager Ronald Koeman and hasn’t looked back since.

Davies has now started two consecutive games in the league. On both occasions Everton have kept clean sheets, and this is certainly not a coincidence. The youngster isn’t afraid to get stuck in, and alongside defensive midfield partner Gareth Barry, the provides a layer of defensive stability in front of the back five, allowing the likes of Baines and Coleman to advance forward and punish teams with their attacking abilities.

Sourced through the ranks of Everton’s academy, Tom Davies showcased his talent against Manchester City, he outran and outsmarted Guardiola’s lacklustre side.

His defensive capabilities are ever present, yet it was his attacking run against City which dazzled the captivated spectators in the 4-0 win.

The formidably talented 18-year-old’s goal followed a surging 70 yard run, driving away from the opposition and exquisitely ‘heel chopping’, between Yaya Toure and Gael Clichy, something out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s locker, then playing one-two with teammate Ross Barkley, who put him through on goal, and Davies did the rest with a delightfully chipped the ball over a despairing Claudio Bravo.

Davies’ goal showed passion, drive and the intent that you only tend to see from young players coming through the academy process. Evident through the speed and determination to out pace Clichy, who is not slow.

This was Davies’ first goal in Everton’s first-team, the crowd erupted to his brilliance, and you could see just how much this meant to him and the fans, as Everton yet again have seemed to produce another wonderful talent through their ranks, in the wake of Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley and most recently Mason Holgate.

After the game Koeman said, “He’s been playing on a high level from the time when he came into the team.”

“He has an impact for the team and okay you don’t expect Tom will score every weekend but the level he showed, and real composure on the ball, that aggression, we need that.”

Koeman was full of praise during the post-match interview, but doesn’t want his academy prospect to lose focus with all the plaudits he is receiving after his recent performances.

Davies is constantly wanting to learn and develop on his talents, which he expressed in a recent interview: “I’ve been learning to keep the ball, being aware of what is around me and understanding where the opposition midfielders are so I can pick them up and not let them get the other side of me. It is a part of my game I’m still working on. I don’t think I’m complete in either of them. That is just something I hope I can keep improving on.”

All football fans hope Davies will continue to shine under Koeman’s management, like many young English talents have recently, such as Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eric Dier for Tottenham Hotspur, Marcus Rashford for Manchester United and Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.