Everton fans need to start paying attention to Ellis Simms as Sunderland loan star scores again
Everton loanee Ellis Simms is starting to draw attention and Toffees fans should start keeping a close eye on the striker’s development at Sunderland.
The 21-year-old secured a season-long loan move to Championship new-boys Sunderland and has adapted to life fantastically well.
Simms has started both Championship games, scoring three goals in two games as the Black Cats are currently sixth in the table and unbeaten.
His performances should excite the Toffees and Evertonians should be optimistic about his development.
Player to watch?
Simms, who came through the Everton youth academy, first became a household name within the club with his spectacular form in the youth academy.
The 21-year-old, who was born in Oldham, scored an absurd 53 goals in 83 games, and this goal-scoring rate of a goal every 1.4 games earned him several loan moves.
During these loan moves, his goal-scoring prowess has been transferred to men’s football and he has adapted well to the jump in level.
During a loan to SPFL side Hearts at the end of last season, he scored seven goals in 21 games, and during an even more successful loan spell at Blackpool in 2021, he scored an impressive 10 goals in 23 appearances.
The former England under-18 international has established himself as a two-footed frontman with great strength, a burst of pace while being able to score a range of different goals.
These abilities were all on display during his Sunderland debut against Bristol City where in addition to his brace, he was a constant nuisance for the Bristol City defence.
He ran the channels well and stretched the pitch while also being a target man during the game and successfully holding off defenders, allowing himself to bring others into play and launch attacks.
It is early days for the 21-year-old but signs are very bright and I am sure without a doubt that Frank Lampard has an eye on his development in the North East.