Lee Hendrie: Everton could swoop for Ross Stewart after ‘crazy’ transfer news
Lee Hendrie believes Everton had no other option but to recall Ellis Simms from his loan but suggested that the club could swoop on Sunderland strike partner Ross Stewart in January, live on Sky Sports News.
The Toffees are desperately searching for a consistent source of goals in the upcoming window, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin an unreliable option and Neal Maupay struggling to fire since moving to Goodison Park in the summer.
Everton announced on Saturday they would recall loanee Simms from the Stadium of Light after a productive stint at the Championship club, which saw him net seven goals in 17 appearances.
Speaking live on Sky Sport News (Saturday 31 December), pundit and former Aston Villa star Hendrie suggested Frank Lampard should make a move for Simms’ Black Cats counterpart Stewart.
He said: “It’s crazy that he’s called him back, but there’s no other option out there unless they actually go and spend money on someone.
“Do they bring him in? Do they go for a Ross Stewart because there are lots of links with him leaving Sunderland? Is there something in there, with Simms coming back as well?
“But I’m with Clint [Clinton Morrison], I don’t think they’ve got the funds to go and buy big players and bring a centre-forward in, and that’s their main issue.”
Troublesome times
These are quite possibly some new lows for Everton football club. After scoring just 12 goals this Premier League season and sitting on the edge of the relegation zone, many fans hoped Farad Moshiri would go shopping for a proven goalscorer in January – but this doesn’t look to be the case.
However good both Simms and Stewart have been for Sunderland this season, this is a forward line who have been facing Championship defences on a weekly basis, and not an attack who will line up against some of the best defenders in Europe.
Stewart, 26, has been a revelation for the high-flying Black Cats this season following his move from Ross County in the summer.
The striker has scored eight goals and provided three assists in just 10 Championship appearances this term, but a step up to the Premier League in January would surely come too soon in his development.