IN THE SPOTLIGHT: George Green, the Everton starlet likened to Goodison legends Gascoigne and Rooney (who Spurs failed to sign for £600,000 when he was just 15!)



Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on the best emerging talent breaking through at football clubs throughout the league. Here, LAURIE WHITWELL takes a look at George Green, the 18-year-old midfielder progressing well at Goodison Park.

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So, who is this guy I’m hearing whispers about?



Name: George Green

Club: Everton

Age: 18

Position: Central midfielder

I’m going to need more than that…



Born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, Green was signed by Everton from Bradford City in October 2011 at the age of 15.



Harry Redknapp believed he had secured the sought-after teen for Tottenham, but David Moyes requested a personal chat in the manager’s office at Goodison Park and convinced Green to move to Merseyside instead.



VIDEO Scroll down to see George Green score in an U18s match against Birmingham



Competitive: George Green (left) gets stuck in against Liverpool's Seyi Ojo in an U18 Merseyside derby

Jumping for joy: Starlet Green celebrates scoring against Liverpool as he makes strides towards the first team

So why the fuss?



Green has scored braces in Everton’s last two rounds of the FA Youth Cup to win ties for his club.

There was a right-foot strike from 20 yards and a penalty in the 2-0 victory over Brighton, while a vicious shot with his left and curled free-kick help beat Birmingham 4-3.



In February 2012, he marked his debut for England Under-16s with a last-minute winner against Spain in Madrid.



Roberto Martinez recently described Green as a player he ‘loves’.

High hopes: Everton boss Roberto Martinez has described Green as a player that he 'loves'

What’s his style?



He is strong and built, but deft at dribbling.



Tales of him beating six players before hitting the back of the net are common place. He mainly operates in the No 10 position, just off the striker, but floats across the pitch looking for the ball and running with it.



He is predominantly left-footed but can score with his right too. Shooting from distance is another ribbon to his bow.

Comparison: Green's dribbling and running style has seen him likened to former Toffee Paul Gascoigne

Likeness: Green's 5ft 9in stocky frame and his suitability as a No 10 is just like ex-Evertonian Wayne Rooney



So, a bit like…

Paul Gascoigne has been mentioned, as has another Everton graduate, Wayne Rooney.



Archie Christie, Bradford’s head of football development, likened the two when Green moved to Goodison, adding: ‘He is 5ft 9in and stocky and plays as a No 10 behind the striker and that was the comparison in my mind.’

Unsuccessful: Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy offered Bradford £600,000 for Green when he was just 15

How much is he worth?



Christie says Daniel Levy offered £600,000 to Bradford to get Green to White Hart Lane three years ago, so his price would have been boosted since.

Everyone has a weakness…



Martinez would like a little more discipline in his play. ‘We need to help him a little bit, because to get into the first team he needs to master a position,’ the Everton boss has said.



‘At the moment he is a player who will win you the game for the Under-18s, but he is a bit of a free spirit.’





What happens next?



He has played five times for the Under-21s – four as a substitute – and progressing further at that level is the immediate aim.



His FA Youth Cup run will continue next month and beyond that a loan move to gain first-team experience next season could be explored.



Work to do: Martinez says Green in only at stage one in his development and is still a way off the first team

Martinez says: ‘I think George Green is at what I call stage one of the development. He needs to go through stage two and then just underneath the first team.’

Anything else I need to know?

