Kenyan midfielder knocking on Everton’s first team after impressing Benitez

After overcoming a serious ankle injury, Kenyan midfielder Tyler Onyango is knocking on his Everton English Premier League (EPL) debut after catching the eye of manager Rafa Benitez.

The 18-year-old who has been a vital cog in the Everton Under 23 side has been training with the first team following an injury to Frenchman Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Onyango suffered an ankle injury back in April and went under the knife but returned to action at the start of this season and made a return in mid-October in the 4-2 win over Leeds United in the Premier League 2.

According to Liverpool Echo, Onyango might profit from Doucoure’s injury and be drafted into the first-team squad ahead of their trip to face Manchester City. 

“With Abdoulaye Doucoure's recent injury coinciding with the youngster's return to fitness, many recently questioned whether the latter might step into the senior side in the Frenchman's absence,”

“That hasn't happened yet, but Benitez has clearly taken note of Onyango and continues to use him in first-team training sessions over the course of the international break,” read an article from Liverpool Echo. 

The central midfielder is very highly thought of at Everton thanks to his unique qualities in terms of carrying the ball and his box-to-box nature.

Onyango has already made his first-team debut for Everton as he came off the bench for the final five minutes of an FA Cup fourth-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday in January 2021.

The midfielder is eligible for Harambee Stars having been born to a Kenyan father, Evans Onyango and a British mother, Amy with sports running deep in the family with his uncles, Allan, Duncan and Patrick Onyango played for Kenya Harlequins and Kenya Sevens.