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Manager Sam Allardyce believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jonjoe Kenny and Mason Holgate “will play big roles at Everton for a long time to come” as the young trio committed to new long-term deals at the club.

Defenders Kenny and Holgate put pen to paper today on contracts that run to the end of June 2022, with striker Calvert-Lewin signing to the end of June 2023.

Allardyce said: “We’re delighted that these young men have committed long-term to the club and there’s no doubt in my mind that they will play big roles at Everton for a long time to come.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“The depth of young talent in our squad is very encouraging, a clear sign that we do things right as a club in our development of young players and Mason, Jonjoe and Dominic epitomise what we are trying to accomplish with young players here at Everton.

“I’ve made the point before that Jonjoe’s decision-making for such a young man is very impressive and part of the reason he makes the game look simple.

“He is also an excellent defender, very grounded as an individual and he has an innate desire to succeed. He’s hungry and his choice of ball possession is first-class for a young man. He is an outstanding young man at full-back.

“For me, Mason Holgate’s potential is becoming a reality. He has set his standards in these past number of games he’s been involved in and it’s a matter of him maintaining those standards, continuing to work hard on his game and then he can become a really top player in the Premier League.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin, too, is a really exciting talent, he’s improving all the time and he has the athleticism and attributes to become a top player in his position.

“Working so closely with a player like Wayne Rooney can’t fail to help him in the role he plays in the team and, collectively, these three players will all have big parts to play here in the years ahead.”

Calvert-Lewin, snapped up from Sheffield United in 2016, has scored six goals in all competitions this season and is delighted with his progress.

He said: “It’s an exciting time to be here and, for me, learning from players such as Wayne Rooney couldn’t be better for my ongoing development.

“With a few other young lads also coming through at the moment, it’s good because we’re all pushing one another.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“I feel like I’ve improved a lot in a short space of time and I’m still looking to keep improving and getting better. That’s what I’m working on day in, day out. It’s nice to be rewarded and to be enjoying my football and it is a proud day for me and my family.”

Kenny. who captained Everton Under-23s to last season’s Premier League 2 title and the 20-year-old from Kirkdale has played every minute of the team’s past nine Premier League games.

“Everton is a top club and I’m convinced we can go and do great things as a team,” he told evertontv.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“If we all stick together we can compete at the highest level and we have the desire to do this. To extend my career here, I’m made up. I want to stay at Everton for as long as I can but I know I’ve got to keep on playing week in, week out, playing well and impressing. Hopefully, I can keep on doing that.

“Results have been good recently and to be involved in that, there’s simply no better feeling.”

Holgate, who joined from Barnsley in August 2015, has played in a variety of positions across the Blues defence.

He said: “It is massive boost to sign this new deal.

“It is a confidence booster that the club thinks highly of me.

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

“I have been given chances here at Everton and there has been faith shown in me. The more experience I get, the more I will be able to grow and improve.

“It is a good time to be young at Everton. You get a lot of chances. Every now and then, clubs get a spurt of players from the same generation coming through and hopefully that is what is happening here.

“There are a lot of players around my age – Dom, ’Mola [Ademola Lookman], Davo [Tom Davies], and Jonjoe - and hopefully we can all be here for a long time.

“I think we can achieve special things here.”