Blackpool loan could be on the cards for Everton youngster Ellis Simms
Everton youngster Ellis Simms could return to Blackpool on loan in January, says the Tangerines chief executive Ben Mansford.
The striker spent the second half of last season at Bloomfield Road, scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances to play a key part in the club’s promotion to the Championship.
Simms signed a new contract at Goodison Park in November, but has not featured in Rafa Benitez’s team this season despite being named on the bench on six occasions.
Speaking to the Blackpool Gazette, Mansford refused to rule out the Lancashire side going back in for the 20-year-old next month.
“Ellis will hopefully always have a soft spot for Blackpool and Blackpool will always remember him fondly,” he said.
“Everton were really happy with how Ellis developed and how he enjoyed his time here, so if he becomes available, it’s right for us and it’s right for Ellis then we’ll keep you all posted.
“I’m sure he’s a player that will naturally be linked with us and you’re quite rightly going to ask about that because the fans want to know.
“At the moment, there’s nothing definitive to say and you always have to be respectful when you’re communicating with people like Everton that you maintain a really positive and professional relationship.”
Perfect match
This seems like it would be a perfect loan move for all parties if it was able to be agreed next month.
Simms hopefully has a big future at Everton, hence why the club tied him down to a new deal until 2024, but he is unlikely to get his opportunity in the first team this season.
David Unsworth described Simms and teammate Jarrad Branthwaite as “outstanding” following a 2-1 win for the Under-23s over Brighton & Hove Albion in November.
But the striker now needs to be playing regular senior football again and there is no better place for him to be doing that than Blackpool.
After shining in League One last season, playing in the Championship is the next step in his development.
He knows the club and the manager Neil Critchley and was loved by the fans in his previous spell, so it would be a good match again.
Blackpool are the lowest scorers at home in the Championship this season so are in need of added firepower.
In other Everton news, Michael Owen has predicted the outcome of Thursday’s clash against Chelsea.
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