Everton Loan Watch: Dowell Dominates for Nottingham Forest

In the first of our monthly reports, we detail the progress of every Everton player currently on loan including Kieran Dowell, who is excelling with Nottingham Forest.

Several times this season, I’ve found myself wondering why certain Everton youngsters weren’t getting a look-in with the first team. Considering the Blues’ decimated defence, it seemed ridiculous that Brendan Galloway or Matthew Pennington couldn’t get a game. Then I realised both were on loan.

With this confusion in mind, this monthly round-up will keep you up to date with Everton players currently seconded from the squad. Needless to say, as the halfway point arrives in the season, several are doing quite well indeed.

Kieran Dowell – Nottingham Forest (Championship)

Kieran Dowell has played three times for the Everton first team, and made his debut in 2014-15. The 20-year-old is an attacking midfielder by trade, and highly rated by the Everton youth set-up. This year, he is on a season-long loan at Nottingham Forest.

Simply put, Dowell is surpassing every expectation at Forest, to the extent that Nottingham fans are fearful their team will collapse if Dowell doesn’t stay. It’s easy to see why. Dowell has scored eight goals and registered three assists in 21 games. Not bad for a number 10.

It’s really exciting that Everton have such a talented midfielder in the pipeline. Check out his most recent goal against Bristol City here.

Henry Onyekuru – RSC Anderlecht (Belgian Pro League)

Henry Onyekuru has had a decent season in Belgium, since being snapped up by Everton in the summer. Already, the Nigerian striker has scored 10 goals in 26 games for RSC Anderlecht.

Onyekuru has tailed off a bit in recent weeks, and was criticised by Anderlecht coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck after the team’s recent 5-0 loss against Club Brugge. This seems slightly unfair, considering Onyekuru was a substitute, and was played on the wing – which is not his preferred position.

Anderlecht are out of Europe this season, so Onyekuru will not be on international TV anytime soon. Expect to see him next year at Finch Farm.

Brendan Galloway – Sunderland AFC (Championship)

Galloway has not enjoyed a successful half-season at Sunderland. Currently, he is being kept out of the Black Cats’ first team by Blues cult icon Bryan Oviedo.

The young defender has looked suspect at the back since arriving in the summer, and has at times failed to even make the bench on Wearside. He was an unused substitute in Sunderland’s most recent game against Fulham.

Tyias Browning – Sunderland AFC (Championship)

The second Everton defender on loan on Wearside, Browning is in better form than his teammate. The 23-year-old has clocked 15 appearances for Sunderland, holding down a place in an often changing defensive line-up.

Sunderland have leaked goals, but Browning is hardly to blame. The rot at the Stadium of Light is not solely due to a shaky defence. In fact, Browning is seen as a crucial figure in Sunderland’s fight against relegation. He was instrumental in their recent win against Fulham on Saturday, as noted by Richard Mennear in the Sunderland Echo.

Matthew Pennington – Leeds United (Championship)

Matthew Pennington is best known on Merseyside for his goal in the derby last season. This year, he is on loan with Leeds, who are in playoff contention in the Championship.

The Leeds defence has been stingy all season, but Pennington has only played a minor role. He has struggled to start, but is often named on the bench. Pennington urgently needs more game-time. He only played 15 minutes in December. Hopefully he will get more exposure over the Christmas period.

Callum Connolly – Ipswich Town (Championship)

Callum Connolly has had a good patch in Suffolk in recent weeks, scoring against Derby County in November, and again against Reading last week. He has certainly played his part in a real resurgence at Portman Road this season, as Ipswich sit eighth in the Championship.

Connolly is only 20-years-old, and therefore his consistent play at this level is promising. In total, he has started 10 games, playing both in defensive midfield and at fullback.

Joe Williams – Barnsley FC (Championship)

Joe Williams has enjoyed a great deal of playing time with the Tykes. In total, he has featured in 1,890 minutes in 21 appearances, according to WhoScored.

The Welshman is receiving rave reviews in Yorkshire. Subsequently, he is tipped to challenge for an Everton place in the next few seasons. He has only scored one goal this season, but it was an incredible effort. Watch it on the Liverpool Echo here.

Antonee Robinson – Bolton Wanderers (Championship)

Round-up of the rest

Up until November, The Blues had eight loanees in the Championship. However, Liam Walsh was sent back early from a loan with Birmingham City. Now, he is back on Merseyside with the under-23s.

Conor Grant is currently on loan with Crewe Alexandra in League Two. Crewe are near the League Two relegation zone going into Christmas, and are conceding 1.5 goals per game. The Everton midfielder isn’t dominating at this level, and has failed to score in any of his appearances. His loan expires in January.

Next: 3 takeaways from the 1-0 win over Newcastle

Which Everton loan player are you most excited by? Do you think any of them should be recalled, or should anyone in the current squad be sent away short term? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Everton Loan Watch: Dowell Dominates for Forest

By Matthew Hacke | Dec 21, 2017