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Sky Sports pundit expects Everton to sign experienced striker as Ellis Simms scores again
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
It is “great” that Ellis Simms is scoring goals in the Championship but Everton will sign an experienced striker still, according to Kevin Campbell.
The Toffees let the 21-year-old forward leave on loan to Sunderland, where he has three goals in his first two games, despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin being injured and Salomon Rondon being the only other senior option since the sale of Richarlison.
Frank Lampard has played the majority of two Premier League games, both losses, without a recognised front man now but Sky Sports pundit Campbell doesn’t think the time was right for Simms to shoulder the burden and believes the club will bring someone in who can lead the line immediately.
Exclusively speaking to Goodison News he said: “I just think Simms is a good young player but to put all that pressure on him… the Championship is different to the Premier League, we do know that.
“He’s going to get valuable minutes now, got a great loan in Scotland at Hearts last season, now he’s in the Championship scoring goals. Which is great, let’s see how he does it in the Championship and go from there.
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“But to be the Everton number nine, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s out, to be that player you’ve got to hit the ground running.
“Everton did miss a striker [against Chelsea & Aston Villa], you could see it playing players up there who were willing but don’t have the instincts.
“Everton need to address that, they really do. And I’m sure they will address it but I just think for the development of a Simms or a [Nathan] Broadhead I think it’s important that they stick to the plan.
“I can tell you this, if they thought they were good enough at this moment in time to play they wouldn’t have gone on loan. They wouldn’t have loaned them out.
“You’ve got to be honest with yourself. The manager, I’m sure he is honest with the club and the players, and they’re probably going to get someone in who can hit the ground running.”
It would have been a lot to expect Simms to take the Premier League by storm, but after a strong showing in the SPFL last year he is proving himself immediately at the Stadium of Light.
Even if he didn’t score 20 goals for the Toffees this year he would surely be better than putting Anthony Gordon up front, who is actually younger than Simms as well as obviously being a winger.
Difficulties in the transfer market this summer accepted it is a major gamble to let what looks like the club’s most promising option up front play elsewhere before anybody else was ready to come in, so the club need to press ahead with their striker pursuits immediately.