Zirkzee plays for Everton U19s in the CEE Cup.

Didn't get to see much of the ball. Likely down to being new to the team. His movement to open passing lanes looked good. As did his skill on the ball, the few times he had it.

So Joe Williams has gone to Barnsley. Let's be honest here – he is probably about 7-8 choice in midfield. Should he stay part of the U23s which would take up a space from the emerging Baningime plus there is Walsh there or at 20 should he be tested at Championship level. I reckon he needs this loan away to establish himself. My fear is he is a very good prospect but may fall just a little short (eg, Bidwell, Forshaw). This loan could define that rather than letting him fester in U23 football for another season.

Same goes for Pennington too. At 22 he needs regular football at a decent level. If he shines at Leeds that good for us.

Galloway is a strange one. Being a left-/centre-back I'd have thought he would have stayed but it gives Connolly a chance and what if Koeman eyes a replacement for Funes Mori. Then Galloway would fester in U23 football possibly slowing the progress of the likes of Feeney, Foulds and Lewis Gibson if he signs.

Browning at 23 just needs games. His injuries have blighted him but I think Holgate and the new lad Markelo are probably seen as better long term prospects.

On the fringes at a big club, he dropped down a level and he played in the Championship for a year, played well... then had an even better year in the Premier League.

Any one of these on loan could be 2 years off being a 㿅 million player. Similarly, any one could be the next Adam Forshaw.

It was an awful game with very few chances. Nobody created anything for him, but he almost scored from a sublime bit of skill and great turn of pace. Hard to believe he's only 16.

But then, as he got more involved, he was chasing about trying to get the ball, sliding in to block it and showing for his team mates.

Looks an intelligent player if nothing else as his movement was good.

For me, the player most likely to make it based on that single viewing, is the left back, Stephen Duke-McKenna. Very promising.

I watched the whole game and enjoyed it. Of course, team shape and positioning are looser but some great technique on show. There was far too much long ball though.

Worst of all, what on earth has happened to players when it comes to crossed and dead balls? Shockingly bad for young pros at a top club. This ability seems to be diminishing at the upper levels of the game, too. Strange.

We are on our way towards becoming another Chelsea in this respect – sign any kid that moves then loan him out.

The truth is very few of our Academy kids ever get a decent crack of the whip apart from making up the squad in pre-season games. But who cares? We can now buy our way to success... or can we?

Investment is fine and we must, and will, keep recruiting from the local area. If these players are good enough then they will impress enough, they can become better with the competition. Footballers do not become their best by having it easy, and that will not help them break into the first team either. They get to come through a great academy set up, and they will get a shot if they are good enough, or get a shot elsewhere in the lower league's.

I'm not going to feel sorry for them – it is a great career and we are a great club. We should not farm people like Chelsea do and we are not – we are just catching up with a lack of investment in our youth set up. A few have gone on loan to good clubs, because they are not ready for first team football with us and need game time.

We can not bridge the gap in front of us if we do not buy talents at a young age.

What nonsense, Phil!! You've become even more negative this last year!

Didn't we give more minutes to Academy players last season than almost any other club?!Course its incredibly competitive and most won't make it but we had the likes of Tom Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate and of course Ross Barkley all getting plenty of game time last season.

Not many young kids get a chance in the Premier League now, so if they can go into the Championship and learn their trade for a season, it will tell Everton a lot about these players?

I reckon the club think they have got a really special bunch of youngsters right now, and I bet you they will also be on very good wages that probably only half these Championship clubs could match?

What's wages got to do with it? It means that the players are being well rewarded and it's keeping them out of arm's length away from a lot of clubs, who might be able to offer them first-team football.

It works for some, and for others they will just find their level. Ask Beckham?

The player gains valuable experience in a professional first team setting, albeit, usually at a lower level, and the club reaps the rewards on his return, enabling him to transition up to first team action if and when required.

Why the negativity?