Sean Dyche must be pleased with the recent performance of Youssef Chermiti for the club’s under-21 team, relays the GoodisonNews. The 19-year-old’s match-winning appearance on Tuesday night has generated quite a buzz, leaving some to draw comparisons with a young Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Beesley, on November 8, likened Chermiti’s performance to the Everton star, suggesting that the young talent should have been honing his skills in the age group side since his arrival at the club in the summer. Chermiti’s late winner in the EFL Trophy game against Mansfield Town showcased his “prodigious talent,” adding an “extra dimension” to Paul Tait’s front line.
While Chermiti shares some similarities with the club’s other striker, Beto, a six-foot-four-inch Portuguese front man signed this summer, it is Calvert-Lewin that he seems to resemble more on the pitch. The £15 million teenager has seen only limited minutes in the first team, as he is currently considered a developmental project, with £25.8 million signing Beto, 25, brought in as a senior addition to contribute immediately.
Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and form this season have allowed him to be a pivotal part of the team’s improved fortunes. Chermiti’s early signs of promise provide hope that he might follow in the footsteps of his 50-Premier-League-goal teammate.
Dyche has managed to assemble a first team that is delivering more positive results than negative ones, with the teenage signing having limited opportunities. However, Chermiti’s impressive performance in the U-21s suggests he could be the perfect response to prove his worth. The emergence of a potential heir-apparent to Calvert-Lewin can only bode well for the Everton boss.
While it’s early days for Chermiti, his recent display for the under-21s and his late winning goal from the penalty spot are likely to convince Dyche that he is an option worth considering for the first team sooner rather than later.
Dyche now has options up front, with Calvert-Lewin in top form and Beto also at his disposal. The emergence of a promising youngster adds another layer of depth to Everton’s attacking options.
The decision to invest millions in Chermiti this summer, despite financial constraints and inexperience, may have raised some eyebrows. However, if Chermiti can build on his recent positive showing and continue to exhibit shades of his star teammate, it could prove to be a wise move. Everton may have secured a valuable talent for the future at a time when they still had a chance to do so.