Ryan Ledson shares transfer admission over ‘brilliant’ Everton loanee Tom Cannon after goalscoring form
Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson admitted he would love Everton striker Tom Cannon to return to the club for next season.
The 20-year-old moved to the Championship outfit in January and has become an influential and outstanding first-team regular at Deepdale, registering eight goals and one assist in 17 Championship games as the club chases an unprecedented playoff spot.
Preston manager Ryan Lowe admitted last month he would love to bring Cannon back on a permanent basis for next season and that has been echoed by former Toffees academy product Ledson who has heaped praise on the 20-year-old hitman.
Speaking to Lancashire Post [20 April], he said: “Tom Cannon has been absolutely brilliant.
“He’s a credit to himself and Everton Football Club. Since the second he’s come through the door he’s worked hard, got his head down and he’s a nice kid. He’s 20 years of age, has the world at his feet and all he needs to do is focus on himself and scoring goals because he can go wherever he wants to be.
“I’m absolutely made up for him. I’d snap your hand off for him back next season! Whether that will happen or not I don’t know, we can only try, can’t we?
“We all saw what happened with Cameron Archer last year. Let’s just enjoy him while we’ve got him and see what happens next year.”
Another loan won’t hurt
It’s no secret that Everton will be looking to strike during the transfer month as they aim to sign a whole host of attacking talent to boost Sean Dyche’s terrible depleted weaponry.
Cannon has proven himself in the Everton youth ranks, scoring 29 goals for the club’s under-18s and 22 goals for the club’s under-21s in recent times.
And he has now taken that form from youth level into men’s football, showing no signs of struggling with the major step up in quality with eight goals in 17 Championship games.
He has just three senior Everton appearances to his name, but those numbers could rise next season when the Toffees inevitably hand him opportunities in the first team given his feats on loan.
The Toffees faithful love an up and coming talent and Cannon has moved beyond that mark now, ready to go on and become a household name on Merseyside, however another loan move wouldn’t hurt his development one bit if Dyche doesn’t have room for him next season. Although, that picture could well change should the Blues suffer relegation next season.
Cannon’s Championship experience might well prove invaluable.