Loads of Everton fans have been left raging over comments made by Rafael Benitez ahead of their game away at Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against the Bees, the Spaniard claimed with regards to youth development at Goodison Park (via Toffee TV): "When we talk about young players, it seems to be young is to be good enough. Anthony Gordon is a young player & people were asking him to play. After 2-3 weeks, he was mentally ready...Not too many players can play when they are still young players".
Speaking of Gordon, the 20-year-old has started in four of the Toffees' last six games in the top flight (Transfermarkt), and his performances on the pitch so far have kept him in the team.
However, it should not matter how old you are so long as you can perform, and Benitez is seemingly suggesting that he would rather play more experienced players in match situations.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news/" title="Everton news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
Salomon Rondon (32) and Cenk Tosun (30) are examples of experienced players at Everton, but have not yet scored a goal between them this season, showing that in some cases youth need to be given more opportunities.
Everton fans slam Benitez comments
These Toffees supporters raged as the comments from Benitez were shared on Twitter, with one going as far as to claim that they were 'garbage':
"Oh what total garbage, great boost for our kids."
"So let's keep playing experienced players who offer nothing"
"What a nonsense statement, give the youth a chance, looking what we have in our first 11"
"Such a poor view. Young, talented and hungry players are what fans want to see!"
"Utter nonsense! That might be an argument if you’re sitting top of the table with an abundance of talent available! We have Rondon!?"
"There are so many examples of young players playing well in the Premier that his comments make him look a fool. We're not asking for a team of teenagers to play, but where we have good young players in positions that we are struggling in, you'd try it."
In other news, find out what Marcel Brands has done to leave these Everton fans fuming