Paul Tait drools over Everton teen sensation Francis Okoronkwo after latest performance
Paul Tait feels Everton starlet Francis Okoronkwo could become a “big player” for the Under-21 side in the next few months.
The Under-21s are braced to lose Tom Cannon who is likely to move to the first team, or he could be sent out on loan. But there are expectations at Finch Farm that Okoronkwo is ready to take his place.
Okoronkwo, who was signed from Sunderland last year, scored one and produced an assist against Lincoln City as the Toffees U21 side lost 4-2 on Tuesday (13 December).
“Frankie was excellent. You bring the subs on and you want them to make an impact, especially the front players, and he certainly did that,” said Under-21s boss Tait, as quoted by Liverpool Echo.
“He’s someone that we really like at the club… he is hopefully going to be a big player for us in the next four or five months and longer term.
“We really like Frankie, he’s got real potential. He’s got lots to do – he’s not the finished article. He’s got real physical attributes but he is also really technical so he can handle the ball and he’s a number nine, a really good number nine, he can run behind, he can link into feet.
“There are still bits he needs to do better at, which he is working on, but he’s working hard so he’s got a chance at getting better at those things.”
Need to make use of them
There are two ways to look at it. It is really a healthy sign for a club to produce fantastic young talents at academy levels, especially strikers.
It is a well-known fact that strikers (and attacking midfielders) are always in demand in transfer markets, and clubs often need to pay a premium price to land one.
A homegrown quality striker is a massive boost for any club.
Everton probably need to sign a striker in the January window. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled with fitness once again, while summer signing Neal Maupay has failed to make an impact.
It will be interesting to see if Frank Lampard takes Cannon for the senior side or send him out on loan. If he takes the second option, then the Toffees will have to be very careful with the talents they are producing.
Ellis Simms and Lewis Dobbin are currently out on loan. These two players have got tremendous potential but it is unclear whether they are ready to play regularly for the senior side next season.
Lampard has a good track record of nurturing young talents, and hopefully he will give them opportunities to shine.