According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton have mapped out a career path for Lewis Gibson that will, eventually, see him break into the first-team fold in the coming seasons.
The Toffees signed the youngster with a view to bringing him into the first-team in the next few seasons and the Echo has learned of the plan to do just that.
It’s started off with him joining Fleetwood Town where he has impressed on loan, helping them challenge for the play-off places this season in Sky Bet League One.
And, whether they get promoted this year or not, the plan is then for him to join a Championship side next season, again on loan, to play at a higher level.
The Echo reports that clubs in the second tier have already expressed an interest in taking him on for next season and it would certainly be a step in the right direction for him.
Then, the year later and with progression hopefully on track, the Blues will look to field him in the first-team in the Premier League.
Obviously, there’s plenty of potential obstacles in the way between now and then but he has the talent and, if he applies himself, he should be able to do it.