Everton have had a disappointing season in the Premier League yet their future looks promising with young prospects loaned out. The club has been in the news recently with massive financial losses and concerns over relegation but Everton’s loan deals look stronger than ever. Here’s a full report on the clubs top six players out on loans.
Everton Loan report
Moise Kean – Juventus
Moise Kean is a 22 year old Italian striker who was loaned to Juventus. The deal included an obligation to permanently transfer the young forward to Juventus for €28 million at the end of his loan (2023). Recent reports have indicated that Juventus is looking to back out of the Kean deal meaning the 22-year old is likely to return to Everton.
Kean, this month, has continued to evolve as a forward and appeared as a sub in all five matches this April. He has helped his team to three wins in the month of April which puts his club in a Champions League spot. Kean scored the go-ahead goal in the final minutes against Sassuolo after being subbed in for the final 25 minutes of play.
Kean could help a struggling Toffees attack next season. If the Italian finds his way back to Everton, he would likely replace Richarlison, should the Brazilian depart. The 22-year old is still a young player and could reach his full potential in the next few years.
Appearances: 5
Starts: 0
Goals: 1
Grade: B
Jean-Philippe Gbamin – CSKA Moscow
Jean-Philippe Gbamin, a 26-year old Ivorian defensive midfielder is currently on a loan at CSKA Moscow. Gbamin arrived at Everton in 2019 from FSV Mainz 05 for a price of €25 million with the promise of being a top rated midfielder capable of filling in the void created by the departure of Idrissa Gueye. Multiple injuries later, Gbamin has found a solid role in Russia and looks to have a promising future.
Despite stellar play this season, Gbamin and CSKA Moscow have taken a step back this April. Gbamin started all five games for his club but did not net a single goal. He also lacked discipline during his matches as he received three bookings, including a red card in the Russian Cup. CSKA Moscow has only won a single game since March and are struggling to finish on a high.
Gbamin will return to Everton in late June and could be considered as a squad player next season. However, with the injury curse ruining his Everton career, the Ivorian may decide to leave Everton and start afresh. It remains to be seen if Frank Lampard would be interested in keeping the 26 year old in the roster.
Appearances: 5
Starts: 5
Goals: 0
Clean Sheets: 1
Grade: C
Nathan Broadhead – Sunderland
Nathan Broadhead is a 24-year old Welsh forward on a loan at Sunderland. Broadhead is yet to make his professional debut with the Toffees. His outstanding loan spell could prompt Everton to consider him for their next season plans.
Broadhead was spectacular throughout April. He started six out of seven games for Sunderland and finished the month with a remarkable five goals. His performance against Shrewsbury was particularly impressive. He netted two goals in that game including the game-winner after two minutes of stoppage time. Broadhead’s spectacular play has propelled Sunderland to an undefeated month of April. Sunderland currently sits at 5th in the English Football League One.
Broadhead’s impressive form shows that he is capable of becoming a member of the Everton squad. While a starting position may be a little bit too much to ask for, he can be a valuable backup.
It is unlikely that the Welsh forward has enough experience playing elite competition to start or receive a quality bench spot for the blues next season but Broadhead could benefit from another loan to the EFL Championship. The 24-year old still has time to reach his full potential in England,
Appearances: 7
Starts: 6
Goals: 5
Grade: A+
Niels Nkounkou – Standard de Liege
Niels Nkounkou is a 21-year old left back on loan at Standard de Liege. Nkounkou is a great talent that can fortify the defensive unit while also providing help on the attack as a wing back. Nkounkou is yet to record a goal or an assist for his club but this is understandable for a defensive player.
Nkounkou and his club had a quiet month of April. The club only played two matches to finish their season and they lost both matches. Nkounkou didn’t look great on the pitch in either of those appearances. He and his club have had a dreadful season and their 14th place finish on the table reflected this.
Vitaliy Mykolenko is the current starter at left back but the club is without a traditional backup to the Ukrainian. Nkounkou could provide support to Mykolenko. The 22 year old offers pace on the wing and could develop into a furnished full back under Lampard’s tutelage in the coming years. He could be a valuable asset to the club if he bounces back next season.
Appearances: 2
Starts: 1
Clean Sheets: 0
Grade: C-
Ellis Simms – Hearts of Midlothian
Ellis Simms is a 21-year old striker who was loaned to Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership. Simms has received a fair amount of minutes for the Hearts and he has finally capitalized on those minutes this April.
Simms started three games this month and came in off the bench for two more. He had some brilliant play against Dundee United and Hibernian, netting two goals in back to back games and he kept decent form during his other appearances. This was a great month for the striker who had a turbulent season so far.
Simms is still a young prospect that could develop into a quality starter later in his career. His role at Everton will be limited so another loan or transfer is likely for the 21-year old next season.
Appearances: 5
Starts: 3
Goals: 2
Grade: A-
Lewis Gibson – Sheffield Wednesday
Lewis Gibson is another prospect that will need to prove himself before being considered fit for Everton’s purpose. Gibson is a 20-year old center back on a loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He has struggled with injury this season and his place at Everton will be in question this summer.
Gibson has only appeared in 5 matches this season and he has one assist in that span. He did not make a single appearance this April. His deal runs out in the summer and so far there seem to be no indications that the young defender will receive a new deal from the Toffees.
Grade: N/A
Will the loan stars continue to perform in May?