Hearts boss confirms attempts to keep Everton starlet Ellis Simms
Everton might be struggling to find the back of the net in England but one of their youngsters is having no such issues north of the border.
Ellis Simms joined Hearts of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership back in January as he desperately searched for first-team football having featured just once for the Toffees.
Since his move to Scotland, he has found a new lease of life with six goals in 16 games in all competitions including a late winner against Dundee United this weekend.
Jambos boss Graham Alexander loves what he has seen from the 21-year-old and revealed after the game that attempts are being made to keep him around next season.
“He’s been outstanding since day one,” Alexander said, as quoted by Football Scotland. “We just need to enjoy the next five games with him and hopefully see him again next season.
“It’ll be a big ask to get him here, but we’re definitely trying.”
Get him involved
Presumably, Everton weren’t convinced he could perform at the highest level and that is why they sent him to Hearts for the rest of this season.
Well, they can’t have any doubts now, he needs to be included properly in the Toffees’ squad next season, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future uncertain and Salomon Rondon not cutting the mustard either.
Particularly if Everton are relegated to the Championship, which is looking increasingly likely with every passing game, then he would do even more damage than he would in the top flight.
Frank Lampard isn’t blessed with talented attackers with Richarlison leading the line in the Merseyside derby on Sunday so he clearly needs reinforcements.
He won’t be allowed to spend the millions as he could in the Premier League if they go down so he might need to call upon the young talents at Finch Farm to plug a gap in the side as they look to bounce straight back.
In other Everton news, see who we rated an embarrassing 3/10 in our player ratings with the man of the match scoring eight.
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