Lots of Everton fans have been reacting on social media to David Unsworth’s decision to play Oumar Niasse in the Under 23s against Fleetwood Town in the Leasing.com Trophy.
Our youth squad played host to Joey Barton’s Fleetwood on Tuesday night and would be beaten 4-0 at Goodison Park, after goals from Danny Andrew, Paul Coutts, Paddy Madden and Wes Burns.
Fans have taken issue with Unsworth’s selection of Niasse as our leading forward, as the inclusion of the 29-year-old will impact the development of Ellis Simms, who has three goals in seven Premier League 2 games thus far this season.
Simms only made three PL2 appearances last term as the 18-year-old’s duties were primarily with the Under 18s, for whom he struck 32 goals in 15 U18 Premier League games for.
Further than impacting the development of one of our youth prospects, fans have issues with Niasse playing in the U23s as the 4-cap Senegal striker’s £55,000-per-week contract expires next summer, and will be free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs from January.
Niasse has not featured for the first-team at all this season, with his last outing as a Toffee coming from the bench away to Brighton & Hove Albion on December 29 last term.
The Dakar-native made a total of seven appearances under Marco Silva during the boss’ maiden term in charge on Merseyside, but played just 175 minutes altogether before joining Cardiff City on loan for the latter half of the campaign.
Niasse made 22 of his 39 Everton appearances during the 2017/18 season and scored eight of his nine goals that term.
Should Niasse be playing in the U23s?
Yes, so he can be sold in January
No, he is hindering the youth players
No, he should be in the first-team
Here are some of the messages shared…
By the way, playing Oumar Niasse in every U23s game isn’t a good way to help develop our young players.
Maybe I’m just nitpicking now, but it seems odd. ????♂️
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) November 26, 2019
Run by amateurs.
— Tomas (@toffeetommy79) November 26, 2019
Sums up where Everton is right now. We will look back on this time as the dark years
— Roby Bull (@RobyBull1) November 27, 2019
Should be giving Kean a game imo
— Steven Roche (@StevenRoche2) November 26, 2019
January is on the horizon. Ill put money Brands has told him he has to play him to get his fitness up and so any scouts can watch him.
— TheGodlessBlueBear (@MoshirisMyMate) November 26, 2019
Remember last summer when I told you it was time for Unsworth to go? It’s becoming even more glaringly obvious now with his recent line-ups and supposed divide between the academy and hierarchy
— Michael (@greenallefc) November 26, 2019
It’s u23s mate. It’s for players under the age of 23, players who need to develop an players who have a future at Everton. Niasse is hindering the progress of Simms. Results don’t matter at u23 level it’s about getting into the first team. Unsworth is only about winning
— MerseysideBlue (@BlueMerseyside) November 26, 2019
Why is Niasse still playing for the u23s
— ???? (@RhysEFC) November 26, 2019
So does the same go for Unsworth as well? On the whole, the lack of U23s breaking into the first team has been poor and he continues to play Niasse who has no chance of being a first team player
— Paul Reddish (@paulreddish) November 27, 2019
Niasse shouldn’t be involved with the u23s full stop my man.
— Simon Joseph Villiers (@simonjv91) November 26, 2019