Who is Everton talent Djankpata and where he can play for Italy

Halid Djankpata is rapidly proving himself to be one to look at within the Everton and Italy youth squads, so who’s the proficient midfielder?

Djankpata was born in Togo to oldsters from Benin and moved to town of Milan when he was simply 9 months outdated, rising up in Italy. He began enjoying with native aspect Usmate Velate and had trials with Brescia and Atalanta, finally selecting to not be a part of both membership because of the distance.

In 2018, when he was simply 13, scouts from Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Everton started carefully following the then-striker following his transfer from Italy two years prior. He underwent a spherical of trials with the Toffees earlier than becoming a member of their youth system.

Djankpata has continued progressing up the Everton youth system since his arrival in 2018 and even educated with the primary staff throughout Frank Lampard’s time in cost. He nonetheless hasn’t damaged into the senior squad but however has appeared frequently for the Below-18 and Below-21 squads over the previous couple of years.

The midfielder acquired affords from each the Togo and Benin nationwide groups, rejecting each so as to stay eligible for Italy. He acquired his first call-up to the Azzurri’s Below-19 pleasant with Austria on February 14.

Djankpata instructed Gazzetta dello Sport final yr that his dream was ‘enjoying the Champions League with Juventus, my favorite staff, and the World Cup with Italy’. He additionally highlighted his need ‘to ascertain [himself] in Serie A’ sooner or later.

An ingenious and versatile midfielder, the 18-year-old is most snug enjoying in a sophisticated central place, assured charging down the pitch with the ball at his toes. He’s robust bodily and has a strong shot, having initially began out as a striker.

Djankpata is contracted to Everton to June 2025 and has persistently underlined his need to interrupt into the primary staff within the close to future, displaying his ambitions to carry out on the best degree.