Tait explains benefit of Blackpool loan spell for Everton forward Simms
Everton Under-18s boss Paul Tait has explained how Ellis Simms benefitted from his loan spell with Blackpool last season.
The 20-year old forward joined the Tangerines in the January transfer window, scoring 10 goals in all competitions during his time at Bloomfield Road.
Previously considered to be one of the club’s hottest prospects, Simms was loaned to the League One club in order to gain valuable experience playing first-team football.
Speaking to evertonfc.com, Tait was full of praise for the young forward, though he also explained that Simms still has plenty to learn.
Tait said: “What Ellis has had to do is grow up quickly. He’s a powerful lad and when he was bigger and stronger than the other lads in Under-18s football, he could out-strength them, but that doesn’t happen automatically now.
“He has to find a way to showcase other parts of his game like his technique and his reading of the game. One thing Ellis has always done is score goals. His anticipation skills in the box are very good.
“But the biggest thing he’ll take from this loan spell is the mentality. To play Tuesday and Saturday every week in League One can be gruelling.
“He’s been in and out of the team, too. He hasn’t played every game, as Neil [Critchley] has rotated his forwards at times. That’ll be really good for him, developing that mentality you need to be a seasoned professional.
“And it will be amazing for him to play in those big play-off matches.”
Great start
Simms’ goalscoring threat has been firmly on display for Everton’s youth teams in the past, so a loan spell to League One was the natural next step for him on his path of progression.
Highly regarded by Everton and by the club’s youth coaches, Simms is a player with great expectations placed upon his shoulders, with supporters having wanted to see him in the first-team for some time now.
Having excelled for Blackpool, Simms will have undoubtedly picked up some valuable experience from his Tangerine teammates, not just in how to play better but in how to cope better with the rigours and demands of first-team football.
Everton need further depth up front this summer as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has for too long been forced to carry the goalscoring burden alone, and while Simms might not yet be ready to play, his development last season has moved him closer.
The Toffees are club that have always valued progression from the academy and into the first-team, and all of Tait, David Unsworth and Carlo Ancelotti would be delighted to see Simms break through down the line.
In other Everton news, this left-footed Toffees ace is on the verge of a major decision as clubs line up to sign him.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.