Generation Next is a feature on Just Football keeping tabs on the best up-and-coming young players in the world. As Everton get ready to kick off their first Europa League campaign in five years, we take a look at Luke Garbutt, the youngster hoping to break into the team….

by Max Miller

Name: Luke Garbutt

Date of Birth: 21 May 1993

Age: 21

Position: Left-Back

Club: Everton

Nationality: English

F irst under David Moyes and now Roberto Martinez, Everton have gained a reputation for unearthing the odd gem from their academy.

Young left back Luke Garbutt could be the next to follow in Ross Barkley (entrant in our recent Premier League #The10Series Class of 2014/15) and Wayne Rooney’s illustrious footsteps. That is if he manages to deal with the unenviable task of competing with both Leighton Baines and Bryan Oviedo for the coveted left-back slot at Goodison Park.

Leeds tug-of-war

Garbutt was signed to join Everton’s academy in a controversial move from Leeds in 2009 for an initial compensation fee of £600,000, a high price for a 16-year-old. The Leeds Chief Executive at the time, Shaun Harvey, claimed that they would have preferred to have kept the player despite the high price paid, and this anger from Leeds at the move displayed how highly rated he was even that tender age.

With this early controversy in his career now forgotten, Garbutt has not exactly burst on to the scene as yet. He has been more slinking in to contention from the shadows of a couple of loans to sides in League’s 1 and 2, making 34 appearances for Cheltenham Town and then 19 for Colchester United in the last two seasons, scoring two goals at each club.

However, despite only two appearances from the bench for Everton so far, an impressive pre-season, alongside these successful loans, has shown that he has the potential to become Leighton Baines’ long term successor. With the England defender nearing 30 amid talk that he may move in to central midfield, he might get his chance to prove this potential sooner rather than later.

Playing style

When people talk about Garbutt, there are always references to the man who has slowed his progress to the highest level, Leighton Baines. These are not just because of their shared position.

An attacking left-back capable of great things from dead ball situations, Garbutt’s style is eerily similar to that of the man he will be hoping to replace, and also should he get his chance in the first eleven, it is a style that should fit into Martinez’s Everton side seamlessly, as shown by his pre-season performances.

Garbutt’s dead-ball prowess has been reflected by him being given free kick responsibilities at both clubs he was at on loan. Although these were lower league loans, it does say a lot that a kid who’s not even at the club permanently is given set pieces ahead of older players.

Defensively however, Garbutt has been tested less, with only a handful of appearances for England U21s and those loans to the third and fourth tiers of English football to judge him on.

He was not found wanting at these levels, however only time will tell whether this will change if he’s given his chance in the Premier League. At least his success in the lower leagues shows an ability to deal with the physical aspects of the game.

The manager says…

Roberto Martinez may be a man known for his positivity, but even so his glowing comments about Garbutt after the Toffees’ pre-season match against Leicester City do illustrate that the youngster is highly rated by the Catalan.

“Luke Garbutt is a phenomenal youngster and someone who has earned the place to be in the first team. Last season he went out on loan and we followed him closely and he did really well.” “He’s someone who can compete for a place in the first team. He’s got great people in front of him and he can learn a lot. He has played really well with the Under-21s at England level and he’s got a great future so he’s great to have in the squad because it’s very difficult.” “Garbutt has been very impressive. One of the most impressive young players that we have had this pre-season.”

How far can he go?

Garbutt has the potential to get to the very top of the game. Although on paper a slow starter compared to some talent these days, this has been due more to the level of competition he has had rather than any lack of ability. Having Leighton Baines at your club and Luke Shaw in the same U21 group internationally has not helped Garbutt to get the stage to show off his ability as yet.

However, with Shaw moving up to the senior England side, and Baines potentially being rested more often with extra European games this season, the next nine months could be the ones that really shape Garbutt’s career. This will likely be the season we find out if Garbutt will sink or swim at the highest level.

Max Miller is a new contributor to Just Football, follow him on Twitter @maxmil72

(photo credit: Catherine Kortsmik via Flickr)