---
title: "Everton: Fans rage over Rafael Benitez comments on youth development"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/rafa-benitez-brentford-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-11-26T17:15:26Z"
modified: "2021-11-26T17:15:26Z"
---

# Everton: Fans rage over Rafael Benitez comments on youth development

**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](https://twitter.com/ToffeeTVEFC/status/1463883121171087373)): “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”.

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Speaking of Gordon, the 20-year-old has started in four of the Toffees’ last six games in the top flight ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-gordon/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/503733/plus/0?saison=2021&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=)), and his performances on the pitch so far have kept him in the team.

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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.

[Everton news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news/)

Salomon Rondon (32) and Cenk Tosun (30) are examples of experienced players at Everton, but have [not yet scored](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-everton/leistungsdaten/verein/29) 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](https://twitter.com/ToffeeTVEFC/status/1463883121171087373), with one going as far as to claim that they were ‘garbage’:

**“Oh what total garbage, great boost for our kids.”**

[Credit: @Evertongezza](https://twitter.com/Evertongezza/status/1463893411266764805)

**“So let’s keep playing experienced players who offer nothing”**

[Credit: @tjdoyle84](https://twitter.com/tjdoyle84/status/1463884461687332867)

**“What a nonsense statement, give the youth a chance, looking what we have in our first 11”**

[Credit: @beaney1966](https://twitter.com/beaney1966/status/1463895725306093570)

**“Such a poor view. Young, talented and hungry players are what fans want to see!”**

[Credit: @Gre9oryPeck](https://twitter.com/Gre9oryPeck/status/1463888858710487043)

**“Utter nonsense! That might be an argument if you’re sitting top of the table with an abundance of talent available! We have Rondon!?”**

[Credit: @RingKilcronan](https://twitter.com/RingKilcronan/status/1463913186076340229)

**“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.”**

[Credit: @MDub700](https://twitter.com/MDub700/status/1463985742795972610)

***In other news,*** [***find out what Marcel Brands has done to leave these Everton fans fuming***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/marcel-brands-david-unsworth-premier-league/)