Everton Loan Watch April: Who’s doing well or not
In our April report, we detail the progress of every Everton player currently on loan in England and beyond.
Sandro Ramirez – Sevilla (La Liga)
Sandro Ramirez hoped to regain some form on his return to Spain just seven months after his transfer from Malaga to Merseyside in July 2017. He barely featured for Everton, scoring just one goal in all competitions.
Unfortunately, Sandro’s time with Sevilla has been similarly traumatic. The Spanish striker has failed to score in nine league appearances, including four starts.
Admittedly, his fellow forwards have been similarly goal-shy. Vincenzo Montella’s team only managed three goals in all games played this April.
Sandro wants to leave Everton, and the Spanish press believe that this will happen if Allardyce stays past the summer. Estadio Deportivo suggest a Sevilla stay, but this seems somewhat far-fetched considering the striker’s poor form.
Kevin Mirallas – Olympiacos (Greek Superleague)
Simply put, it has been a bleak month for Kevin Mirallas.
On signing, the Belgian winger was given a hero’s welcome at Olympiacos. However, things have gone rapidly downhill since his January loan move. As summarised in the Liverpool Echo, Mirallas has failed to make any impact on his return to Greece.
What has gone wrong? In this case, Mirallas has been a victim of his team’s poor form, high expectations, and his own erratic temperament. Olympiacos are on a poor run, for which he cannot be solely blamed.
His petulance however, reported by David Prentice in the above Liverpool Echo article, is entirely his fault. Unfortunately, this attitude is extremely recognisable from his time at Everton.
Mirallas has played 13 times for the Greek champions, managing two goals. Despite his poor form, HITC report that he insists on a move to Olympiacos in the summer.
Ademola Lookman – RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)
Lookman continues to show the best of the cohort who departed Everton in January.
His eyecatching performances in Germany have earned plenty of plaudits, and the Red Bulls are keen on making his move permanent in the summer (Bundesliga Online).
Amongst all Everton loanees, Lookman is playing in the most competitive squad, which makes his impact all the more impressive.
Despite a wealth of talent in Leipzig, Lookman is a regular fixture from the bench. He has scored two goals in his nine appearances.
It can’t be overstated that Lookman is one of the most talented prospects currently contracted to The Blues. It would be a disaster to lose him in the summer.
Kieran Dowell – Nottingham Forest (Championship)
In our last loan report, we detailed Dowell’s poor form with Forest in the business end of the season. The 20-year-old midfielder has been subject to sustained criticism, despite a strong start to this campaign.
Dowell has failed to kick on in April, and was left out of the starting line-up in five of six games this month. He will likely need another loan spell next season.
Mohamed Besic – Middlesborough (Championship)
Besic is one of the few Everton loanees who has flourished with his loan club. The Bosnian midfielder has gone from strength to strength with Boro’, scoring his first goal this season against Derby County in mid April.
As mentioned in previous loan reports, it is unlikely that Besic will remain with Everton next season. He is not an impact player in the top half of the Premiership, but certainly has more than enough quality for the league below.
This superlative article, written by Anthony Vickers, illustrates his dominance in England’s second league.
Remaining round-up
In the Championship relegation fight, Antonee Robinson continues to feature as starting left back for Bolton.
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He enjoyed his first International call-up for the USA last month. Callum Connolly’s Ipswich Town meanwhile are safely in mid-table. Connolly scored his third goal of the season this month against Reading.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Harry Charsley has not started for Bolton this month.
Brendan Galloway has similarly failed to play a competitive game in April, as his Sunderland team continue to struggle. Matthew Pennington however has filled in effectively for Leeds at right-back in recent weeks.
He received particular praise in the Yorkshire Evening Post for an impressive performance against Aston Villa last weekend.
In the lower leagues, Boris Mathis has been sent back to Everton from Northampton Town, having failed to make an impact. Over in Ireland, Sam Byrne has not featured for Dundalk.
Next: Everton players at the World Cup: Part 2
Injuries
Since last month there is little to report. Henry Onyekuru and Tyias Browning remain injured. Joe Williams has been forced to end his spell at Barnsley early. He returned to Everton in early April.