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Everton’s Under-21 squad has captured attention following their impressive victory in the mini Merseyside derby. While not carrying the same weight as the senior fixture, the win represents a significant milestone for these developing players.
While Omari Benjamin earned headlines with his two-goal performance, U21s manager Paul Tait was keen to highlight another standout performer from the match. Tait specifically praised goalkeeper Zan Luk-Leban, expressing surprise that first-team manager Sean Dyche hasn’t yet called upon his services more frequently.
Speaking to Everton’s official website, Tait lauded Leban’s abilities: “We’re fortunate to have such an excellent goalkeeper. Though he supports the first team, we occasionally get him for matches, and his performance today was outstanding with several crucial saves. He’s a fantastic individual who’s universally appreciated within the squad.”
Leban’s history with Everton extends back to 2019 when he arrived from Slovenia. His first involvement with the senior squad came under Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure, though he remained unused on the bench. The young goalkeeper has since developed primarily through the U21s, including a productive loan spell at Farsley Celtic last season.
His reputation for impressive performances stretches back several years. A particularly noteworthy display came in 2021 against Manchester City’s youth team, where the Liverpool ECHO reported his exceptional showing: “The Slovenian youth international made numerous crucial saves, including a remarkable double-stop in the closing stages.”
Leban’s potential was evident early in his career, having attracted interest from elite clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, and Manchester United during his youth development. With his continuing progression, he could potentially emerge as a natural successor to Jordan Pickford in Everton’s first team in the coming years.
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