Marcel Brands tells Everton youngster Markelo he’ll get first-team chance

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton youngster Nathangelo Markelo has revealed the club’s director of football Marcel Brands is ready to back him for a role in the first-team.

The Dutchman is one of the club’s best prospects, and last season helped the U23s to a second Premier League 2 title in three years.

It’s been a great stint so far for Markelo, who joined the club in 2017 from Volendam.

The Toffees were the team to shown the most interest in the starlet, who was also being chased by PSV, Utrecht and Southampton.

Having been developing nicely, Markelo has hinted there’s a chance fans will see him mixing it in the first-team in 2019/20.

He told Voetbal International: “He [Brands] knows exactly what is going on in the club and what players are available. He told me I would be called up for the pre-season training camp with the first-team. Some clubs would like to have me on loan but Mr Brands insisted that was not a good idea yet.”

TBR’s view

A chance in the first-team would complete an amazing rise for Markelo, who was first scouted playing football in the street.

The holding midfielder will perhaps be hopeful of getting minutes in either the League Cup or FA Cup.

One thing that could well work in his favour is how versatile he is.

Injuries will play their part as in any season, and holding midfielder Markelo has the ability to play in central defence and also at full-back, suggesting there’s a good chance he could be used as cover.