Tom Cannon relishing the opportunity of first-team minutes at Preston as loan deal confirmed
Everton academy star Tom Cannon has spoken out for the first time since completing his January loan move to Championship side Preston North End.
Cannon, 20, has been in fine goalscoring form for the Everton under-21s this term, netting seven times in 11 Premier League 2 outings, as well as five goals in as many games in the EFL Trophy.
The striker was a part of the Blues’ mid-season participation in the Sydney Super Cup and has been involved in and around the first team since Frank Lampard’s side returned to Premier League action.
Upon confirming his loan move, which was announced by Preston’s club site on Tuesday (10 January), the striker admitted he was relishing the opportunity to get in the goals at Deepdale.
As reported by Lancs Live, he said: “I’m delighted and glad it’s finally done. It’s an opportunity I’m really looking forward to after speaking to the manager.
“He’s told me what they want of me and I’m hearing they create a lot of chances so I’m here to put them away. It’s good that I can come out on loan to such a club as Preston.
“Ever since I heard of the interest, I just wanted to get the deal done, and I’m glad it’s finally done. I just want to gain as much experience and minutes as I can here and see where that takes me.”
Opportunity
It will be interesting to see Cannon plying his trade in the Championship over the remainder of the season, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him bag a hatful of goals.
As soon as Everton recalled Ellis Simms from his Sunderland loan deal, the writing was on the wall for the young striker and getting him a loan deal is a good move by the club.
He wasn’t going to feature under Lampard and wasn’t learning much by scoring week in week out for the academy teams, so a move away was the obvious call for the club to make.
Consistent game time in the Championship will hopefully accelerate his development and allow his confidence to grow at the same time. Cannon need only look at ex-Preston loanee Cameron Archer to see the impact a successful stint away from your parent club can have.
If the striker can get himself in the goals, and the Toffees’ struggles continue, the forward could well force himself into the first-team picture in the 2023/24 season.