Premier League side Everton have been linked with a shock move for Burton Albion defender William Tamen, who is an academy graduate and made his senior debut for the club in their 4-0 League One defeat to Peterborough United, with the player playing the full ninety minutes in that outing.
Sean Dyche’s team are stacked with talent in the centre of defence with the likes of James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and new signing Jake O’Brien backed up by Mason Holgate and Michael Keane. The Toffees have seen Ben Godfrey, however, depart to Serie A side Atalanta this summer.
William Tamen’s First-Team Prospects at Burton Albion
The recently turned 18-year-old did not make the matchday squad as Mark Robinson’s side lost 3-2 at home to Lincoln City in their League One season opener. The 57-year-old manager opted for a back three but the centre of defence is an area that has been heavily reinforced this summer with four permanent arrivals to replace the departed key player Sam Hughes and 32-year-old Toto Nsiala.
Ryan Sweeney started against Lincoln City and the 27-year-old was arguably one of the better players at Burton Albion as they narrowly avoided relegation to the fourth tier in 2023/24. Terence Vancooten has arrived from Stevenage for a fee that exceeded the valuation put on the player and will be expected to be a regular part of the back three.
Chelsea loanee Dylan Williams started against the Imps and there is significant competition for a spot in the back three with Udoka Godwin-Malife arriving from Swindon Town, Jason Sraha signing from Shrewsbury Town and Geraldo Bajrami taking the number five shirt after his move from Notts County.
There does not appear to be much scope for William Tamen to see much first-team action with Burton Albion looking to keep themselves away from another relegation battle and therefore he might be better served playing in a development squad that is competing at a higher level.
Everton’s Development Side Struggling to Compete
The Toffees’ under-21 squad finished in 25th place out of 26 teams in the 2023/24 Premier League 2 season and have a recent history of finishing in 8th from 14 teams, 10th from 13th sides and 5th and 7th placed finishes since being crowned champions in 2018/19. There has been a steady decline in performances at the development level and therefore there has been activity to improve their fortunes and recruit players capable of competing for the first team.
Everton’s youth academy has produced players such as Anthony Gordon, Ellis Simms and Tom Cannon, now at Leicester City, but there has been a significant falloff in players making an impact in the first team in recent history. According to the Liverpool Echo, they are interested in exploring a move for William Tamen to shore up a defence that conceded on average two goals per game across the Premier League 2 season.
They have also brought in 18-year-old Omari Benjamin from Arsenal, with the striker a Wales under-19 international. Sean Dyche’s senior side were deducted points in their bid to beat relegation from the Premier League last season due to breaching PSR (profit and sustainability rules) and key to their future prospects is developing an academy that continues to produce talents to resell or play a part in the first-team squad.
The Toffees begin their Premier League campaign this weekend with a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls have an impressive academy set-up and sold midfielder Marc Leonard to Birmingham City this summer after loan spells with Northampton Town and have sanctioned a loan move for Luca Barrington, who looks an exciting talent. Benicio Baker-Boaitey is also an exciting addition to League Two Port Vale.