Everton: Mackenzie Hunt now surely set for Goodison debut, he’s been on the bench 18 times
Sean Dyche is surely set to hand Mackenzie Hunt his Everton debut soon after he’s been named on the bench 18 times this season.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played a minute of first-team football since progressing through the Toffees’ academy despite taking up a place amongst the substitutes on several occasions.
But the left-back’s big day at Goodison Park is surely set to arrive soon as he continues to earn a place on the bench.
Mackenzie Hunt has spent years developing at Everton
Hunt first joined the Blues’ academy when he was just six years old before returning to the club seven years later after spending some time living in Dubai with his family.
He caught the eye a few years back playing for the U-18s team as he earned the Goal of the Season prize for a stunning long-range effort in his side’s Youth Cup victory over Stoke City.
The versatile player, who can also operate at left-back, left wing-back, on the wing or in central midfield, was handed a three-year professional contract in 2019 following his impressive performances for the youth sides.
Mackenzie Hunt caught the eye for Everton youth sides
He’s continued to draw attention since then, having won the Premier League 2 Goal of the Season award for a volley against Braga U-21s.
The Englishman would have probably thought his professional debut would have arrived by now, but he continues to wait patiently for his first appearance in the senior side.
The fact he’s been named in 15 of the past 17 matchday squads shows that he is undoubtedly getting closer, but Dyche hasn’t been able to find the right moment to introduce him just yet.
It’s surprising that he hasn’t been sent out on loan to gain some first-team experience, suggesting the club believe his development is better served on Merseyside.
The Toffees fans would undoubtedly love to see one of their own get a chance to impress, so there will be plenty of interested onlookers waiting for his opportunity to come.
If the Blues manage to pull themselves away from the relegation zone and extend the gap to third-bottom Luton Town, then that would surely strengthen Hunt’s chances of earning some minutes.
Dyche must start finding a way to get academy players more involved at Goodison as that could be a way to save them some cash and potentially earn some money off their young stars in the future.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri has been provided with a 777 Partners takeover solution amid the “appalling” Goodison situation.
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