Everton confirmed on Friday that eight reserve-team players had been released – Harry Charsley, Boris Mathis, Mateusz Hewelt, Shayne Lavery, Jack Kiersey, Danny Bramall, Joe Hilton and Chris Renshaw. The Toffees revealed Bassala Sambou has been offered a new deal, however.
Charsley was a regular in midfield for the u23s, making 18 appearances last season, but he didn’t develop enough to be retained. Kiersley and Mathis featured only three times between them for the reserves in 2018/19, so their exit isn’t a shock.
Hewelt and Hilton were in the squad for much of the campaign but rarely started games. The two goalkeepers had the impressive Joao Virginia for competition which limited their opportunities.
Renshaw and Brammall didn’t feature at all for the u23s last season, so their respective departures won’t come as much of a surprise. Brammall trialled at Sheffield Wednesday in April without success. Lavery scored only one goal in ten games and was deemed surplus to requirements. He’s since joined Linfield.
Everton will use this summer to rebuild the first-team squad, identify which academy players are ready for a promotion to the u23s and trim the side of deadwood.