Everton learn harsh truth of Martin Sherif's ceiling after Port Vale display vs Chelsea
Everton's decision to send Martin Sherif to Port Vale on loan continues to look like the wrong move after his performance in the FA Cup against Chelsea on Saturday.
Sherif featured for 65 minutes as his side were thrashed 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Everton figures most likely watching the forward's display.
The call to send the 19-year-old back to a League One side was carefully thought through after a failed move to Rotherham United earlier in the season.
However, so far it seems like the Dutchman is out of his depth in the men's game, and may have even needed a loan transfer to League Two or the National League.
Sheriff will return to Thorp Arch this summer, where a big decision will need to be made.
How did Martin Sherif's stats look vs Chelsea?
Everton decided to recall Sheriff after he had only made 11 appearances for Rotherham in the first part of the season.
However, the game against Chelsea took his total appearances for Port Vale past his record for Rotherham in terms of games played.
| Area of game | Stats |
| Rotherham games (goals) | 7 (2) |
| Port Vale games (goals) | 9 (1) |
| Shots combined | 23 |
| xG combined | 2.85 |
| Dribble success combined | 28.6% |
As seen in the table above, his form for Rotherham was somehow better, and a 28.6 per cent overall dribble success rate shows he lacks skill with the ball at his feet.
His showing against Chelsea wasn't great on the eye from an Everton perspective, either.
Though obviously up against stiff Premier League opposition, Sherif managed a 5.9 FotMob rating, with a 40 per cent pass accuracy and 0 per cent ground duels success rate.
The striker did win six aerial duels out of the 13 he attempted, but for all his good physical work, he looked technically far from top-flight standards.
The teenager is now without a goal in nine games and most likely has not impressed David Moyes.
When does Sherif's contract run out?
Sherif will return to Finch Farm at the end of his deal with Port Vale in May, but the following month is the important one for the attacker.
The number nine is out of contract with Everton at the end of June this year, and the Blues will have to decide whether to offer him a new deal or not.
Given his lack of goal-scoring form away from Merseyside, it would be hard to see why the club would offer the striker new terms.
He will most likely have low transfer value, so unless Everton want to give him another loan move after a new deal to try boost his price tag up, then there would be no reason for a renewal.