Everton’s shortage of natural options in the centre-forward position has made the development of their younger attacking players more relevant than it might normally be at this stage of the season. With opportunities in the senior squad potentially limited behind the established options, performances from the club’s Under-21 side can provide an indication of which players could eventually be considered if circumstances force David Moyes to look further down the squad.
One player who strengthened his case this week was Omari Benjamin, who produced an encouraging cameo as Everton’s Under-21s overcame National League leaders Boreham Wood on penalties in the National League Cup.
The 20-year-old was introduced in the 66th minute and wasted little time making an impact. Just seven minutes after coming onto the pitch, Benjamin finished off a well-worked Everton move to give the young Blues the lead.
Boreham Wood eventually found an equaliser late in normal time, sending the contest to a penalty shootout. Everton held their nerve to win 4-2 from the spot, with Benjamin also successfully converting his penalty.
While one goal at Under-21 level is not enough to alter the hierarchy at Goodison Park, the performance was another useful reminder of the striker’s potential.
Benjamin worth watching as Everton consider their striker options
The situation surrounding Everton’s centre-forward position gives Benjamin’s development some added significance.
Thierno Barry has been the club’s undisputed starting striker so far, beginning all seven of Everton’s matches this season and scoring five goals. His latest contribution came in the 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, when he scored the decisive goal.
However, Everton’s options behind Barry remain limited following Beto’s departure during the summer and the collapse of the proposed move for Folarin Balogun.
That leaves Barry as Moyes’ only established senior specialist centre-forward at present, increasing the importance of having alternative solutions available if injuries, suspensions or fixture congestion create a problem.
Moyes is already considering different possibilities. The Everton manager is expected to use the international break to assess whether Charly Alcaraz can provide an option through the middle, while Brennan Johnson has also been capable of filling the role when required.
Benjamin is understandably further down that pecking order, but there is an important distinction between him and some of the other alternatives. He is a natural striker and remains one of the most obvious No.9 options developing within Everton’s academy structure.
That does not mean a Premier League breakthrough is imminent. The difference between Under-21 football and regularly leading the line for Everton’s senior side remains considerable, and Benjamin still has plenty of development ahead of him.
However, his numbers show that he has already established himself as a productive player at that level.
Since joining Everton after leaving Arsenal in 2024, Benjamin has scored 14 goals in 51 Under-21 appearances and has also contributed seven assists.
His performances have previously attracted praise from former Under-21 manager Paul Tait, particularly after Benjamin scored twice against Liverpool in October 2024. Tait highlighted the striker’s work rate as well as his ability to perform the No.9 role.
That combination could become increasingly valuable if Everton ever need to look beyond their senior options.
Nobody should expect Wednesday night’s goal against Boreham Wood to suddenly push Benjamin into Moyes’ Premier League plans. His immediate task remains continuing to develop, improving his consistency and proving himself against increasingly demanding opposition.
But Everton’s current lack of specialist striker depth gives his progress a little more importance.
Barry remains the first-choice option, while Moyes has other players who can potentially operate through the middle. Benjamin, meanwhile, represents a more natural long-term No.9 option who is continuing to make his case at Under-21 level.
For now, his goal against senior opposition was simply another positive step. If he can continue producing performances and goals, however, the conversation around his potential first-team involvement could become much more interesting in the months ahead.