Head of Academy Coaching Barry Quin expects Sonny Blu Lo-Everton's game to develop and become even more rounded the more he trains and plays with high-calibre players.
The 17-year-old was awarded a two-and-a-half-year contract largely on the back of his sparkling performances for the Under-18s over the past two seasons and now Quin is challenging and expecting the playmaker to make the same mark with the Under-23s next season and shine when he trains with the first team.
“I'm delighted he's got his contract,” said Quin. “He's a dream of a player to work with. I've known him since his days at the Harefield Academy and he's what we look for in a player that goes the distance. He's got a lot to learn, but most decent players play better when they play up and rise to the level around them. I think he'll take his game to the next level by mixing with quality players.”
Lo-Everton has always been earmarked as a gifted player but he made people sit up and take notice when he came on as a substitute in an Under-23 game against Nottingham Forest as a 15-year-old in 2018. He then confirmed his rich potential with a brilliant free-kick to win an FA Youth Cup tie against Birmingham City last season, cracked in another for the 18s against Ipswich this campaign and travelled with the first-team squad for the FA Cup tie at Tranmere.
“You've got to have the technical ability and be physically equipped,” said Quin. “That goes without saying, but what Sonny has is a mental strength and a fantastic attitude to training and working hard. He's an independent thinker who can open up a game with a great pass. He's got a real appreciation of what is going on around him and is a real forward thinker. His first touch buys him half a yard and the higher you go, the more that is going to be an advantage to you and a disadvantage to the opponent.”
Lo-Everton has been played anywhere across a midfield diamond by Under-18 coaches Tom Hart and Simon Clark and showed his versatility and adaptability when he dropped mid-game in between the centre-halves and played in a hybrid as a sweeper/deep-lying midfielder for the Under-23s at Charlton in a bid to get on the ball more.
“He's a playmaker,” said Quin. “He is primarily a 10, but you could play him anywhere in midfield, even up top. He adapts and knows what's required from a game situation. He gets on with it and is an attacking type of player, not a defensive one. We've not nailed down a set position for him, but we are comfortable with that. He's now got to get his head down, keep working and display that consistency. He needs to strengthen up a bit as he needs to be strong to take the knocks and blows that will come his way, as he'll draw attention no doubt, but he's got a real chance.”
Read More
Read what Malky Mackay, the former Watford manager and now Performance Director at the Scottish FA, had to say about Lo-Everton's development HERE.
