'Hopes are high' - The Athletic shares Everton gem to watch this season, he's impressed Dyche

Everton star Youssef Chermiti has been backed as one to watch by The Athletic, despite a frustrating issue looming over him.

Chermiti, who joined from Portuguese giants Sporting CP last summer, featured 18 times in the Premier League last season but failed to score, and is currently recovering from a foot injury.

Journalist Patrick Boyland identified the 20-year-old, however, as the “closest to selection” at Goodison Park with Sean Dyche currently unsure of his forward options, amid heavy transfer speculation surrounding Dominic Calvert-Lewin and others.

Boyland said of Chermiti: “The closest young player to selection is 20-year-old Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti, who signed from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

“Hopes are high for the under-21 international, who scored twice in the pre-season game against Sligo Rovers. He has already impressed Sean Dyche this summer.

“Frustratingly, he picked up a foot injury in training that will see him miss the start of the season. But once fit, the aim is for Chermiti to get more regular minutes, either at Everton or on loan.”

Can Chermiti become a key Everton player?

With Chermiti sidelined and uncertainty surrounding Calvert-Lewin and Beto, Dyche currently has options such as Neal Maupay and new recruit Iliman Ndiaye.

The Toffees boss would ideally like more forward options through the door due to the difficulty in identifying his outright striker selection pool after the 30 August deadline.

Once Chermiti is back on the grass, there could be an opening for him, having already featured fairly commonly in the league last season – and his pre-season has been encouraging.

A loan to give the Portuguese regular football once he is fully match fit has been discussed, although it could transpire that Dyche will have to rely on him as the season picks up pace in the coming months.

Signed for an eight-figure fee whilst still a teenager, Chermiti could well turn out to be an important investment who with opportunities and played to his strengths can flourish.

In other Everton news, Richard Masters discusses the club’s relationship with the Premier League.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post 'Hopes are high' - The Athletic shares Everton gem to watch this season, he's impressed Dyche appeared first on Goodison News.