They also have an excellent youth scheme and a manager who is not afraid to give young players a chance. We tend to send them out on loan never to return. Think if it was my kid I would tell him Everton will be much better for his career development unfortunately and then ask whether he can pay off the mortgage on the house before he goes.
There's a lot of hyperbole about representing your hometown club and it's a great idea but football is such a business now and you need to find employers who are going to look after you. Anyone who would encourage their child to stay with one club out of pure nostalgia is putting blind faith in a money-grabbing company over good parenting. I'd definitely just consider who is going to do best for my child, much as I would love them to represent the club I support it just isn't worth risking their career over.
Everton have a much better record than we do and are renowned as a family club.
