Broadhead with the perfect advertisement as decision time looms

With the whole cub buoyed after the senior team finally ended their Anfield hoodoo at the weekend, Everton’s under-23 side took to the field against Manchester United’s youngsters and it was Nathan Broadhead who went away with all of the plaudits.

As well as the praise that will rightly come his way, the young Welshman took home the match ball after firing in a hat-trick that showcased all of his ability. With the 22-year-old’s contract up in the summer and a renewal not expected to be on the cards, this was a timely reminder to the many scouts in attendance of what the attacker is all about.

After impressing this writer in the ‘mini derby’ in January from the left wing, Broadhead has since moved through the middle after the departure of Ellis Simms on loan to Blackpool. Donning the number nine shirt, the lad from Bangor was supported by Rhys Hughes and Einar Iversen in a 5-4-1 without possession and a 3-4-2-1 with the ball.

The three goals will obviously grab the headlines but Broadhead’s hold up play was both impressive and surprising in equal measure. Standing at 5’10’, Broadhead is not small but is not typically the size of a target man.

That didn’t stop Broadhead and particularly when the ball came in at chest height, it stuck to him like a magnet. The ball would be under control immediately and he looked to link up with Hughes and in particular Thierry Small who was constantly getting forward from wing back.

It allowed Everton to get higher up the pitch and limit the space Ethan Galbraith was getting whilst in turn led to David Unsworth’s side creating numerous good chances.

It was telling that Unsworth was consistently guiding some of the younger players like Small and Isaac Price, keeping them switched on and advising them what positions to take up. No such wisdom was needed for Broadhead, who looked very comfortable in his newly found position.

The goals themselves were a lesson in composure, precision and positioning with the opener being a real highlight.

Broadhead was put through on goal by the impressive Hughes and held onto the ball, drawing United goalkeeper Matej Kovar out before impudently dinking the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper. It was a delightful finish and set the tone for the rest of his evening.

In between the goalscoring, ‘Broady’, as he’s affectionately known by his teammates, was all too happy to work hard for the team, dropping back and blocking passing options to Galbraith from goal kicks.

Broadhead was just as comfortable going in behind as he was coming short and his pace and timing of his runs caused problems for Will Fish and Reece Devine all evening.

The second goal looked like something from a ‘How to be a goalscorer’ manual as he pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired across Kovar into the far corner. It was a deadly finish from a man high on confidence.

The hat-trick clinching goal showed that Broadhead is developing a nose for goal with each passing game. Loitering around the six-yard box as a corner was about to be taken, Broadhead found himself on the end of a flicked header to simply nod home and put the match beyond Neil Wood’s side.

It was a case of right place at the right time but as all top strikers will tell you, that doesn’t happen by accident.

Broadhead didn’t let up and wasn’t satisfied with three goals, going close on another couple of occasions and he was visibly annoyed with himself following a missed header at the end. The hunger was very evident.

With the expiry of his contract in the summer, Broadhead is about to reach a crossroads in his career. Turning 23 in April, he’ll know that the time is coming to make the step up and secure regular senior football.

Based on this showing and previous good displays this season, Broadhead could be a clever signing for a club down the divisions this summer. They would be getting a young athletic forward capable of playing anywhere across the front line and with clear football intelligence.

Hunger is what often sets young players apart from their counterparts and Broadhead appears to have this in abundance.

Keep this up and he won’t be short of offers in what is hopefully a breakthrough summer.

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