Journalist reveals which Everton loan stars will be first team players in the future
One of the success stories of this season for Everton – even though it’s taken place away from Goodison Park – is right back Jonjoe Kenny.
The Englishman took the brave step of going out on loan to German heavyweights Schalke, where he has enjoyed a tremendous campaign.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old centre back Lewis Gibson signed a new contract at Goodison, before heading out on loan to League One side Fleetwood Town.
Are they both heading towards the first team once they return from their respective temporary spells away from Merseyside?
That’s a question that journalist Phil Kirkbride attempted to answer during a Liverpool Echo Q & A on Thursday.
“Lewis Gibson has an 18 month plan mapped out for him after signing a new deal last month, so he is part of the club’s long-term thinking,” he wrote.
“As for the immediate future, Jonjoe Kenny is the player most in the frame. But, of course, it’s not yet clear what Everton’s decision on Kenny will be.
“[Marcel] Brands has spoken about being ‘sure’ he will be back with the first-team this summer but [Carlo] Ancelotti will want to run the rule over him.”
Is Kenny the future at right back?
It would certainly seem like it. The big issue that the Toffees might have is keeping hold of him in the summer.
He’s been so terrific with Schalke, becoming their first choice right back in no time at all, that there will doubtless be teams sniffing around him.
However, the 22-year-old should undoubtedly be Seamus Coleman’s successor at Goodison in the years to come.
As for Gibson, it’s good to see that the Blues have a plan in place for him, because he has the potential to be a quality centre half in the years to come.
In other Everton news, a former England international has been urging the Toffees to make a £12million signing.