How close is Graham to the first team?

TL;DR

Everton's Braiden Graham, an 18-year-old forward, scored four goals and provided an assist in a recent under-21 match, raising questions about his potential promotion to the first team. Fans are eager to see if his impressive performance will lead to senior team involvement.

Key points

Braiden Graham scored four goals in an under-21 match.
He is an 18-year-old forward from Everton's academy.
Fans are curious about his promotion to the first team.

Braiden GrahamEvertonunder-21Thierno Barry

Everton's Braiden Graham on BBC's Ask Me Anything graphic.

[BBC]

The likelihood of Everton academy youngster Braiden Graham being involved with the first team has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Everton 'Ask Me Anything' form.

If I had a pound for every time I am asked about Graham right now, I would be very rich! For those who haven't heard of him, he is the 18-year-old forward making headlines in Everton's academy.

Last Friday evening the Northern Irish teenager scored four goals at Goodison Park and bagged an assist as the Toffees under-21 side convincingly beat Ipswich and it left supporters wondering if he could now step up to the senior side. The Merseyside derby followed 48 hours later and substitute Thierno Barry's lacklustre showing up front - as he failed to register a shot on target - was being debated among fans for a different reason.

So, could Graham push for a place in David Moyes' squad in the final five games?

His under-21 coach Paul Tait thinks he can offer something and heaped praised on him by explaining: "If you've got a front player who can come and link it to feet and go in behind, then you've got a good front player."

However, when I asked Moyes about Graham in January, he told me: "Braiden is doing well. We need him to build up his physicality and speed, all those things that come from stepping up to the Premier League."

Graham's form in the youth set-up has led to discussions on a chicken and egg situation. Would the forward now be best getting a chance off the bench to see how he holds his own in order to build his physical strength?

Should this happen it would need some patience from fans because he is so young and untested. The closest to the senior side the teenager has got so far was being an unused substitute in the FA Cup defeat by Sunderland.

Q&A

What did Braiden Graham achieve in his last under-21 match?

Braiden Graham scored four goals and provided one assist in his last under-21 match against Ipswich.

How old is Braiden Graham and what position does he play?

Braiden Graham is 18 years old and plays as a forward.

Why are fans discussing Braiden Graham's potential promotion to the first team?

Fans are discussing his potential promotion due to his standout performance in the under-21 match, especially following a lackluster showing from the first team's substitute forward.