Sam Stone

Wed 4 May 2022 21:30, UK

Hearts’ on-loan Everton striker Ellis Simms should certainly be in Frank Lampard’s plans for next season, regardless of Everton’s league status.

The 21-year-old has featured once for Everton in the Premier League but has thrived in his two loan spells away from the Toffees.

Simms was a crucial part of Blackpool’s promotion campaign last season, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances for the Tangerines.

His good form has continued after his move north of the border to Hearts where he has scored four goals in 14 appearances.

It is evident that Simms knows where the back of the net is, with him notching the all-time record for goals scored in an under-18 Premier League matches, with 32 goals in 21 games.

What sets Simms apart is that he is a physical and powerful striker, who has the ability to be prolific in front of goal.

Despite scoring four goals for Hearts, statistically, Simms has been a constant threat and should’ve scored more.

As per Wyscout, Simms has the tenth highest expected goals per 90 in the Scottish Premiership with 0.56.

By that statistic, Simms should have a goal every other game and be on eight goals instead of four.

This shows the frontman is getting into excellent positions to score goals and perhaps should’ve been more clinical.

Given Simms’ tender age and excellent record thus far, Frank Lampard would be foolish to send him out on-loan again next season.

Simms has had time out playing plenty of football and looks to have adapted to the men’s game well.

It is crucial for young players to be playing football and Simms has been.

With his Everton contract running for another two seasons, next season seems the ideal time to start integrating the striker into first-team proceedings at Goodison Park.

In other Everton news, Lampard has given a fitness update on two key players ahead of the game against Leicester.

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