Markelo leaves for PSV

Was there any fee involved?

Maybe Unsy should be in charge of getting rid of players and not Brands. He certainly seems unable to develop players but he's competent enough in moving them on - for peanuts!

This one makes me wonder what happens when incoming players are brought into Everton?

The list is endless but Stones, and Holgate aside, the rest have come and gone.

Bring back the Central League, but it won't happen but it raises the questions of the U23s, and the Everton youth development programme's criteria for success?

Paul, I think most clubs have a high failure rate with low-cost speculative signings like Markelo.

It's worth doing though, Stones, Sterling, Sancho and many others were all pinched from other clubs' academies. Obviously aside from the kid having talent and motivation, the key thing seems to be first-team football opportunities, either with the club or on loan. U23s is often a place to stagnate rather than develop.

I'd like to see a few more additions like Branthwaite even if some never quite kick on.

While it might be difficult if there isn't a Premier League club on your doorstep I think that until they reach the age of 17, or sign a full professional contract, then there should not be movement between clubs never mind countries.

I agree Alan. This is like a modern slave trade, poaching kids from their own countries before their balls have even dropped. The transfer of under-16 kids should be stopped and 16-18 year olds heavily regulated.

The trafficking of promising youngsters from Africa, as young as 14, to mainly east European teams continues. A lot of these kids are later released with not even the fare to get home.

I have no recollection of this lad signing. Maybe he was a get one free when you buy three?

Shane#7 - if I remember rightly, there was some fanfare attached to Markelo's signing at the Camp and Furnace do a few years back.

PS _ whilst being no apologist for Bill Kenwright (I'm more in the Don Alexander camp on that!) I do give him credit for his gesture in setting up, and I believe funding that Camp and Furnace do.

Alan and Colin.

Agree totally. I don't understand how this practice continually slips under the radar.

The Ajax model is often thrown about as a great production line which it undoubtedly is. They play a numbers game on a different scale. I am sure their rejection ratio is up there with the best or worst depending on your viewpoint.

Closer to home in the last week, 2 promising full backs have left us.
The club has invested years of coaching, accomodation and probably 'expenses' to their families. Why bother? Most prem clubs don't develope talent they buy first team ready players.

The area of Merseyside has a population of 500k. Are you telling me that local kids aren't as good and are not worth the time and investment?

The club has an opportunity to think outside of the box on things like this and be a leader rather than a sheep.