Everton Loan Watch: March 2018
We detail the progress of every Everton player currently on loan over March.
Everton may be safe in the Premier League, but many of their loanees continue promotion, championship and relegation fights across the continent. Unfortunately however, it’s been a difficult month for the Blues on secondment, and many have struggled with their surrogate clubs. There is some good news though. Find it in the loan report below.
Sandro Ramirez – Sevilla (La Liga)
There is little news to report regarding Everton’s Spanish striker Ramirez has made little impact at Sevilla. As the Liverpool Echo report, he has failed to even make the match squad on some occasions.
Despite, this Sandro is still set on staying in Spain. In early March, he affirmed this on Spanish TV, the third separate time that he has expressed this opinion since January. He will not be coming back.
Sandro has failed to score for Sevilla in seven appearances.
Kevin Mirallas – Olympiacos (Greek Superleague)
Kevin Mirallas made a dream return to Olympiacos in January, although things have not gone his way since. Despite playing 12 times for the Greek Champions he has only scored once. Reports from Greece in HITC now suggest that Olympiacos manager, Oscar Garcia, may not seek to buy the Belgian winger permanently.
Matches in the Greek Superleague were suspended in March due to a violent incident at PAOK. Hopefully, Mirallas can find some form if games resume before the summer transfer window.
Ademola Lookman – RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)
Lookman is still performing in Germany, continuing to make the RB Leipzig team despite the caliber of his competition. The 20-year-old winger had a good outing for the England u-21s recently too, registering an assist against Romania despite playing only 17 minutes.
Lookman will have benefited from his time abroad, and he certainly deserves a place in the Everton team next year. It’s difficult to argue that Yannick Bolasie offers more than him at this stage. Hopefully, Lookman’s head isn’t turned whilst he is on the continent.
Lookman is invariably a substitute for RB Leipzig, and has not scored since his debut goal in February.
Kieran Dowell – Nottingham Forest (Championship)
In our February report, we mentioned that Dowell’s performances had deteriorated in the New Year. Remember, Dowell shone in the Championship in the Autumn, scoring a hatful of goals in the process.
Sadly, things haven’t improved for the 20-year-old midfielder. He has started sporadically for Forest, and has not impressed when he has played. He has failed to score or assist since our last report.
Once a shoe-in to make his Everton breakthrough next season, reports in the Nottingham and Liverpool suggest that Dowell may leave Merseyside on loan again in the summer. The Liverpool Echo report that he has not ruled out another spell with Forest.
Muhamed Besic – Middlesborough (Championship)
Unlike many of the above loanees, Besic is having a decent spell away from the big club. Frozen out at Goodison, the Bosnian has found first-team football with Middlesborough, who are currently holding on grimly to the last Championship playoff place.
Besic has taken on a starring role in the North East, playing with a dynamism that we rarely saw from the midfielder with Everton. Local journalist Eric Paylor said in the Middlesborough Gazette:
"The Bosnian looks as though he is thoroughly enjoying his football with the Boro. Hopefully it will stay that way. Besic’s impact appears to have boosted the form of Grant Leadbitter and Jonny Howson. Certainly the midfield department has not played better than they did against Leeds."
It’s great to see Besic’s improvement after consistent injury problems in the past few years. However, it is unlikely this will translate into a role on Merseyside. Expect the Bosnian to move on in the summer.
Remaining round-up
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Joe Williams, Callum Connolly and Antonee Robinson continue to play big minutes in the Championship. Long-term, expect Robinson, Williams and Browning to return to The Blues. Connolly mentioned in March to the EADT that he may want a permanent move to Ipswich.
Brendan Galloway is still struggling at Sunderland, although he has seen some first team action due to injuries. Similarly, Matthew Pennington continues to be an emergency relief player at Leeds. Harry Charsley meanwhile can only find consistent gametime with Bolton’s u-23s.
Outside the Championship, Boris Mathis has put in some decent performances with Northampton Town in League 1. Sam Byrne is a starter for Dundalk in the Irish Premier League. He recently scored a hat trick in a friendly match against Portadown.
Next: A round up of Everton players on International Duty
Injuries
Henry Onyekuru will not feature for Anderlecht again this season due to a knee injury. Tyias Browning is out for the season with a groin problem.