Ellis Simms emerges as new Everton hero as hunt for next Romelu Lukaku continues at Goodison Park
By Louis Dutton
A new hero came to Everton’s rescue over the weekend.
Ellis Simms struck in the game’s dying moment to salvage a vital point in the Toffee’s quest for Premier League survival in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
The 22-year-old striker is something of an unknown to supporters of the club, having spent the first few months of the season on loan at Sunderland, where he scored seven goals in 17 appearances, convincing former manager Frank Lampard to bring him back to the club to bolster their striking options.
But just who is Simms and is he the man to lead the line for Everton as they desperately seek to regain their premier league survival?
It’s no secret that Everton has long been crying out for a striker.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled to regain his red-hot form of old, and the acquisition of Neal Maupay just hasn’t provided the quality needed as many fans expected it wouldn’t.
So, for Simms, there is a clear path to consolidate himself as Sean Dyche’s go-to man in attack until the end of the season.
According to WhoScored, Simms’ strengths include aerial duals, the ability to shoot from range, through balls and finishing. At 6’3 tall, he is a real presence in front of goal, something that could prove beneficial to Dyche’s more direct style of play.
Should Everton retain their Premier League status, it is more likely that they will be in the transfer market for a top-class striker who can propel them to where they aspire to. The Blues reportedly have their eyes on Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata [Il Giorno] and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus [The Athletic] as they look to provide the quality in front of goal that they’ve missed since Romelu Lukaku’s departure from the club nearly six years ago.
This means it will probably be unlikely that Simms establishes a starting berth in the team going into next season, however, there is no reason he can’t impress Dyche in the remaining games of the season and have a future at the club.
Whether he is ready for the Premier League remains to be seen, but with Calvert-Lewin and Maupay failing to provide the answer, and with his impact over the weekend, the relatively unknown threat of Simms may just be Everton’s best option right now as they look to avoid relegation.