Goodison View: Early Everton exit for King would be a hasty decision
Josh King was forced to watch from the bench on Monday as Everton conceded a late goal against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.
The Toffees had many opportunities to extend their lead over the Eagles and put the game out of sight, but their lack of a clinical edge cost them when Michy Batshuayi drew the game level with less than ten minutes remaining.
Carlo Ancelotti had already made three substitutes (Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ben Godfrey and Jean-Philippe Gbamin) and so couldn’t turn to the Norway international as a last resort.
King’s failure to get on the pitch marked the second game in the Premier League this season that he hasn’t featured in for the Blues, while the other eight games have all seen him play as a second half substitute. [Transfermarkt]
Having signed a short-term deal in January when moving from Bournemouth to Merseyside, King will soon see his time at Everton come to an end unless he can earn a contract extension.
However that could prove difficult when the 29-year old can currently only expect short cameo displays and spectator roles.
Ancelotti revealed in February that King’s long-term future would be subject to his own decision-making, with the Italian explaining that the “dream” of all parties would be for the forward to remain at Everton for “a long time”. [The Guardian]
However in March it was reported that Ancelotti had performed a complete U-turn, having been left unimpressed by King and so now has become unwilling to extend his current deal. [TEAMtalk]
If true this seems particularly harsh on the player, who has yet to be handed a real opportunity to impress. King can only hope to accomplish so much when he isn’t allowed to build up any significant momentum on the pitch.
Ancelotti has seen his Everton squad ravaged by injury throughout the season, further accentuating his evident lack of player depth in a variety of positions – forward line included.
King was signed in January to provide the Blues with additional depth and options to be utilised, but Ancelotti has yet to give the versatile attacker the chance to prove himself.
Ancelotti and Marcel Brands will have no doubt already crafted a list of potential summer targets, and it the report from TEAMtalk is to be believed, they’ll have likely identified someone who can replace King once the transfer window opens.
However the club would be acting far too hastily if they make that call without giving King an adequate opportunity to fight for his long-term future at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti has shared an injury update on key Everton duo following the draw with Palace.
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