Tom Davies.

Kieran Dowell.

Liam Walsh.

Or as they are better known by some of the coaches around Finch Farm: The Holy Trinity.

The significance of such a bestowed name is well understood by any Evertonian worth his salt. The bursting levels of optimism held within the club for these three midfield prospects is real. Now, with Tom Davies transitioning from the kid invited to train with the first team to the latest Toffees’ treasure, in just a few short months, people are starting to believe that the footballing Gods may have blessed Everton once again and that one day soon we may see three central midfield academy graduates gracing the hallowed Goodison Park turf.

Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey, and Alan Ball was a triumphant midfield partnership worshipped by the blue faithful during the late-sixties. As a midfield unit they were a revelation, thrilling football fans far and wide. Between them they possessed the full range of midfield skills and had a telepathic understanding. It is on these similarities that coaches have baptized their own nurtured trinity with one of Everton’s most sacred names.

Consisting of the composure of Davies, the eye for goal of Dowell, and the insane passing ability of Walsh this mini trinity has been the substratum to the success of Everton’s youth sides for a while. All the components of a dynamic footballing midfield triangle are there - it has chemistry. Or it did. Now that Davies has left for the first team we won’t be seeing them play together again until the others follow in his footsteps. But the hope and belief is that they will and a path is being made for Dowell and Walsh to get their chances too.

Case in point: Ryan Ledson. Once Everton’s next big thing, Ledson had captained the England Under-17s to Euro 2014 glory before being called up to the senior side by Roberto Martinez. The Blues boss went on record saying that the holding-midfielder had a certain future in the first team, but this summer the 19-year old was allowed to leave the club to sign for Oxford United (where has been a hit and just recently bagged his first goal, a memorable 40-yard lob). The truth about why Ledson had to move on was that after returning from a loan spell he had found himself squeezed out of Unsworth’s U23s side by the better developing Walsh, Davies and Dowell who had established themselves during his absence. With first team opportunities getting further away and finding himself further down the pecking order of the U23s, it was decided best for Ledson and the club to go their separate ways.

It would be naïve hyperbole to claim that the three academy products can go on to achieve a status anywhere near touching that of Kendall, Ball, and Harvey. But if the trio of local lads can at least establish themselves in the first team squad that alone would be a massive achievement. We are currently in financially crazy times where it is deemed logical to spend £30m on Moussa Sissoko. How much money would it save the club if it successfully produces an entire central midfield capable of holding their own in the Premier League? In a league where money mostly talks (we can never forget Leicester City), that in itself would be a minor miracle. Manchester United’s Class of ’92, with Scholes, Butt, and Beckham helped propel that club further on its way to being the biggest in the world. So just exactly who have Everton got on their hands here?

Tom Davies

Over the last 12 months Tom Davies has begun to fill out physically. Being built more like a man has enabled him to hold his own against the fully grown, grizzly central midfielders that the Premier League has to offer. Not since Wayne Rooney exploded onto the scene have Evertonians warmly embraced and identified with a graduate as one of their own to the extent they have with young ‘Davo’. From head to toe he stands out from your typical footballer. With his blonde ketwig, scraggly facial hair, and rolled-down socks, the freewheelin’ Tom Davies doesn’t looked fazed by anything. He is a Bob Dylan in a world of Drakes: Pure substance, unique style - and after that City goal – bonafide folk hero.

Kieran Dowell

The player that Ross Barkley keeps tabs on. Kieran Dowell was the name on everybody’s lips before Ronald Koeman took charge. A left-footed attacking midfielder with silky skills, dribbling ability, peachy crossing and known for scoring outstanding goals was the first of the three to make a senior team debut back in 2014 in a dead-rubber Europa League game. He made his Premier League debut in April 2016 when he replaced Ross Barkley as a sub. Opportunities with the first team have since been paused. Coaches believe he has found coming up against bigger defenders a challenge that requires the 5ft 9inches 19-year-old to complete the growth spurt he is currently going through to handle the physical side of his game. He recently stated in an Echo interview that he would relish a loan move in order to ‘make him a man’. There is no doubting Dowell’s attitude or ability and it is just a matter of time before we see him involved with the first team.

Liam Walsh

When the first team coaches ask questions around Liam Walsh’s diminutive stature and ability to defend, the counter-argument is Iniesta. The 19 year-old centre mid from Huyton is only 5ft 6inches tall, but it is his outstanding passing ability which is his strongest asset. David Unsworth has praised Walsh for his ability to control games demonstrating a maturity beyond his years. He has already been tested in the lower leagues with a loan spell at Yeovil Town in 2016, where he made 15 appearances, scoring one goal and earning several man of the match awards playing a key role in helping keep the struggling side up. He demonstrated the fearless streak seen in other Huyton-born midfielders Joey Barton and Steven Gerrard quickly handling himself at Yeovil, telling the Echo:

“When I got the call from Unsy he was all for me going down and said I could handle it footballing-wise but off the ball (I wasn’t sure) because they are tough men,” he added.

“In my first game I had a 50-50 with one of the biggest players I’ve ever seen in my life and I went right through him and from there I just thought ‘I can’t really back down’ and that I could handle myself.”

A string of recent stellar performances since returning to the U23s has brought him to the attention of Ronald Koeman and earned him training sessions with the first team.