Stephen Kenny speaks out on international future of Everton striker Tom Cannon after England approach
Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed that Everton striker Tom Cannon is taking time to mull over his international future after an approach from England to play with their Under-21s side.
Newspaper journalist Alan Nixon reported on 11 June that the FA are in talks with the 20-year-old, who was born in Liverpool but qualifies for the Republic of Ireland, about committing his future to the Three Lions.
The Toffees sensation scored on his Republic or Ireland Under-21 debut in March and was called up to train with the senior squad in Bristol last week, but missed out due to tonsillitis.
Speaking out on the approach made by England, and as reported by the Independent, Kenny said: “It’s better to be honest about these things. I saw the story breaking in one of the English papers.
“Tom hasn’t said anything to me about that. Now obviously, he had tonsillitis and pulled out of the camp – and he had tonsillitis to be honest with you – and it sort of made it difficult selecting him (for the seniors) because he hadn’t been doing training, he hadn’t been doing the programmes that we had set.
“He has a good attitude and is a good lad, but I have spoken to his agent subsequently before the U-21 squad was selected.
“His agent is Kenny Moyes, and he just said, ‘Let’s get this camp out of the way and we’ll come and meet you and have a chat’. He said, ‘Obviously England U-21 have made an approach,’ and he just needed a bit of time to reflect and see what the situation was and wanted to speak to me after the camp, sit down and have a conversation.”
Sign of progression
Everton could have a serious player on their hands in Cannon, and it seems that the England set-up might have clocked on.
The Toffees academy graduate enjoyed a stunning run of form while on loan at Preston last season, netting seven goals from 11 Championship outings. This form should be enough to earn the youngster a place in Sean Dyche’s first-team plans for next season, with the manager extremely short on other forwards who can lead the line.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains an injury risk, Ellis Simms was barely used after his return from a loan at Sunderland, while Neal Maupay is looking ever more likely to be packing his Finch Farm locker and sealing a transfer away from the club.
If Cannon were to switch his international allegiance, it would be the third high-profile move in the last few years, following both Jack Grealish and Declan Rice.
When England comes calling, it is hard to ignore.
Either way, the 20-year-old looks to have a hugely promising future ahead of him, and one that Everton can, hopefully, benefit from.