Busy week for Everton Under 21s as development loans now secured

09/07/2024 01:48 AM

The loans departure lounge is now empty!

A very busy English summer transfer window drew to a close last Friday and the packed Everton Under 21 departure lounge at Finch Farm began to clear. With the expected departure of Reece Welch to the Belgian club KMSK Deinze about to be confirmed this Thursday, there were 8 deals in total for the Under 21s, 7 of them loans and 1 permanent transfer.

Last week's departure lounge even featured a revolving door as Everton signed an 18 year old Gambian midfielder Francis Gomez from Sporting Supreme of Nigeria! No sooner had he signed before he was immediately loaned out to the club with which we are, suddenly, very familiar, Olympic Lyonnais of France!

Here are all the outgoings with some predictions for the outcome:

Harry Tyrer, 22, goalkeeper, makes the relatively short 50 mile trip from Crosby in Liverpool to Blackpool (League One) in the knowledge that he is making a real step up. After spending last season helping Chesterfield gain promotion back to League 2 from the National League (England's 5th tier) he has jumped 2 divisions nearer the ultimate goal of the Premiership. I rate this goalkeeper very highly.

Verdict: if he plays regularly behind the leaky defence that Blackpool have and does well, he will maybe get a big chance at the Blues next season as Virginia and Begovic see their contracts expire. I hope so, he's going to be a top goalkeeper!

Eli Campbell, 20,centre back/ left back, makes a much longer journey, past Inverness in the Scottish Highland area to Ross County (Scottish Premiership) . He will have enjoyed the regular training with Sean Dyche's first team this summer and the game time he got. It's a tough league he's moved to but he'll hopefully play against the big Glasgow and Edinburgh clubs so will be up against some real quality opposition.

Verdict:a challenging move for him but if he passes the test against the better players in Scottish football he can return with a prospect of proving himself in the 2025/ 26 season.

Jenson Metcalfe, 19, centre midfield, made a loan move to Chesterfield (League Two). Maybe a little surprising with him having been involved in pre-season with the first team. It is, perhaps, a further indication of the strong bond between the two clubs as goalkeeper Tyrer was there last season. Metcalfe has the potential to go onto better things and this move will really help him. The Blues also clearly trust the guidance of the Spireites' manager Paul Cook, a Toffees supporter.

Verdict: a great move for Metcalfe, he's a level-headed boy with good control, passing range and now, a good mentor.

Here is Metcalfe talking about his move:

Francis Okoronkwo, 19,centre forward/ winger to Salford City (League Two). This was maybe an overdue loan. He has all the tools to be a successful forward and now will have the opportunity to pitch himself against grown men every week rather than Under 21 level.

Verdict: A good test, I think this will determine if he has what it takes to step up the divisions and whether he has a meaningful Blues career. On his day he can be electric but he must find consistency and be clinical in his finishing.

Billy Crellin, goalkeeper, has moved on loan to Accrington Stanley (League Two) in the final year of his Everton contract. Now 24, he will no doubt relish the prospect of proving himself week in week out after falling to 5th choice goalkeeper at the Toffees. He was at fault for a goal this pre-season although a backpass by the hapless Mason Holgate didn't help him.

Verdict: In my opinion he might do OK at this level but must eradicate mistakes in his game judgement that have led him to a League Two loan whereas Tyrer is a divison above.

For Halid Djankpata, 19, to Spezia (Serie B, Italy). It is a permanent journey to the country he has represented at Under 19 level. He was actually born in Togo. A talented midfielder, he had recently settled into a central midfield berth for the Under 21s having played a lot for the Under 18s as an attacking midfielder or out wide. In truth, he may find the lesser physicality of Italy's Serie B a bonus if he is to continue as a central player.

Verdict: He might do well in Italy where the game may better suit his skillset.

Francis Gomez, 18, midfielder to Olympic Lyonnais (Ligue 1 France) pictured below. "Here today, gone tomorrow." Little is known about Gomez at the time of writing but we will follow his progress in France this season.

Verdict: Too soon to say

And finally the latest, Reece Welch who will be 21 in 2 weeks' time.His imminent move to the Belgian second tier (the Challenger Pro League) is a little surprising. It had been thought that Welch might secure a move to the English Championship, the Dutch or Belgian first divisions but, I guess it's all about getting regular first team footballfor the centre back to prove himself in senior football?

Verdict: For him to remain at Everton next season (the last he is contracted for) he needs to make a strong impression. Because of his forthcoming turn of age, he would count as senior player in the manager's squad of 25 so he has a challenge on his hands to make the cut.

These moves will clearly have an impact on Paul Tait's Under 21 squad and when the dust has settled, the squad shape will be more clear. Good luck to all the lads!