Teenage defender ready for Everton transfer

Despite the turmoil surrounding Everton this season, the scouting system has been hard at work looking far and wide for the future generations of Toffees. That search has taken us to Sweden where fifteen-year-old Axel Wallenborg will be getting another tryout with the Blues next month.

Speaking to Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt, the youngster said that he has already had a trial at Finch Farm and has been invited back again next month. He turns sixteen in December as well which would allow Everton to offer him a professional contract.

“I went last Monday and spent five days there. This time I was training with the U18 team so it was a little higher. It felt good too there, I felt I was doing well.

"It was fun, I've been there once before. It was this spring and it went very well then, I played two matches with the U15 team and did well in me. Now there was no match when it became a bit strange with the paper, so I did not play. They want me to come over again in December and see me in match.”

The highly touted player is currently affiliated with IF Brommapojkarna who sit in first place of the Swedish second tier, and has been compared to BP-graduate and Sweden’s national team left back Ludwig Augustinsson, who had a good game in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier.

“Yes, I've heard that too. It feels fun, fun that people believe in one. It's fun with BP that they got so many good left backs. It is both Ludwig and his brother who are in Djurgården (Jonathan Augustinsson) for example. It's very funny.”

He went on to talk about his strengths, and how his aggressive style would suit the English game.

“My strengths? It is good, above all, that I am aggressive, good head, good in the offensive and and take care of the defensive too, and that I have a good turn. Outside the plan, it's my head, my attitude and focus on working hard to develop. I exercise a lot extra for example. What I want to develop is my legs. They are good but could be better.

“I'm a pretty aggressive player type and fits enough English football quite well.”

The left back position at Everton remains a precarious prospect. Beyond Leighton Baines, both Cuco Martina and Mason Holgate have tried out there, with Brendan Galloway, Luke Garbutt and Antonee Robinson all in the system as well.

Wallenborg tried out with Wolverhampton Wanderers last season, which is an interesting turn of events with the Molineux side’s manager Nuno Espírito Santo linked with the vacant permanent manager job.

However, the teen seems to have his heart set on the Blues.

“Yes, that's the thought in any case. They want to see me in a match, so I'm set to go there. Then we'll look for how it gets. I will probably go there and play that match, but I feel completely ready to go over and go there permanently. That way, at least, at least, you'll appreciate it again after you've been there again.

“There are many more exercises, more focus on football in England. I live 1.5 hours from where I work now so it's going to be a lot of traveling and it's more to school and home. Brommapojkarna is a good place to be on, but I would probably be more focused on the football in England. One has to think about what is for the best.”

If Everton were to offer Wallenborg a deal, it would be unlikely the player makes an impact on the senior side anytime soon, but it certainly is heartening to see the youth system go from strength to strength.