Everton have suffered in recent years, skirting the line of relegation from the Premier League on several occasions and, until Sean Dyche’s dismissal, been devoid of attacking inspiration.
While the Toffees have improved since David Moyes acceded to the big seat, there is a sense that the squad in its current format is limited and that changes are needed in the long run.
Throughout the January transfer window, Everton were attentive to the market and cognisant of their frailties on the right flank and, especially, at centre-forward.
Everton have endured in recent years, but spending is necessary going forward, especially with first-choice striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin seemingly reaching the end of his journey at the club.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's Everton future
Calvert-Lewin has been a household name in the Premier League for many years, but his lack of goals in recent years has largely been a by-product of incessant injuries.
He scored a fine goal as Everton dispatched Tottenham Hotspur to hand Moyes the first win of his (second) tenure but had previously gone 16 matches without a goal or an assist, missing 13 big chances.
So where do Everton go now? There’s always a chance that Moyes’ arrival will prompt a last-minute contract offer that keeps the 27-year-old at the club, but it may well be the right time for a change.
2024/25
22 (19)
3
1
2023/24
32 (26)
7
2
2022/23
17 (15)
2
1
2021/22
17 (15)
5
2
2020/21
33 (32)
16
1
2019/20
36 (30)
13
1
2018/19
35 (19)
6
2
2017/18
32 (18)
4
5
2016/17
11 (5)
1
0
While Beto is in good form at the moment, he was linked with a move away in January and has been unreliable in front of goal for much of his Premier League career.
It’s a shame that Everton have already sold the perfect heir to the number nine spot.
Dyche has already sold Everton's Calvert-Lewin heir
Everton and strikers haven’t been the happiest of marriages in recent years. Calvert-Lewin has been a monstrous figure at times but not for a while, with the likes of Neal Maupay, Cenk Tosun and Moise Kean all falling by the wayside under Farhad Moshiri’s influence.
However, they haven’t helped themselves in some cases, with Tom Cannon, 22, sold to Leicester City for about £7m in September 2023 after making just four first-team appearances for the Toffees.
Cannon left Stoke for Championship promotion chasers Sheffield United in January for a £10m fee, but the Daily Mail reported that Everton were in the race for the rising striker, less than two years after agreeing to his sale.
Stoke
25
11
1
Preston
21
8
1
Leicester
16
3
2
Everton
4
0
0
Sheff United
3
0
1
In fairness, Cannon has added depth and dynamics to his game since leaving Merseyside, using his powerful and sinewy frame to his advantage, strong in the build-up and intelligent with his cushioned lay-offs. He ranks among the top 19% of strikers in the Championship this season for aerial duels won (2.74) per 90, as per FBref.
But more importantly, the Republic of Ireland international has been in fine fettle in front of goal, hailed by Potters correspondent Pete Smith for his “insane” four-goal display against Portsmouth earlier in the campaign, though with 11 goals from 28 matches across all competitions (for both Stoke and Sheffield United), he’s proved he can provide a consistent source of firepower.
Everton’s hopes to sign a young EFL star don’t end with this striker, for West Bromwich Albion’s Tom Fellows has also been on the outfit’s radar, having registered their interest last month.
Fellows isn’t a centre-forward but much like Cannon has impressed greatly in the second-tier. A right-sided winger, the 21-year-old has supplied 11 assists from 31 Championship fixtures this term, praised for his “unbelievable” performances by Baggies teammate Karlan Grant.
This pertains to Cannon as it reveals a structured focus to The Friedkin Group’s transfer strategy, sure to be looking at more senior stars for the summer but also keen on reinvigorating Everton’s youthful foundation.
Fellows may yet be up for grabs at the end of the season, but unfortunately, with Cannon now plying his trade at Bramall Lane, Everton will need to reorient their focus up front.
It’s a shame. He knows the team and indeed proved himself and then some at youth level, notching 51 goals and 14 assists across Everton’s U18 and U21 levels.
Furthermore, as per Sofascore, Cannon has missed nine big chances in the second tier this term having put nine goals away too. This means that he is clinical with his shooting. Hark back to Calvert-Lewin, who has scored three Premier League goals this term despite missing 13 big chances, and the difference is stark.
Not only is he outscoring the three-goal Everton striker, but he’s bagging at a far more clinical rate.
The fact remains that Everton will be pushing to sign a new striker this summer, and given that such a talented young forward in Cannon was within their clutches, it’s a shame that he was allowed to venture off before hitting his stride.
It was a deal that helped to circumvent PSR – or, at least, mitigate the sanctions imposed last year – but his physical style and cool striking skills do feel perfect for Moyes’ system.
He’s really coming into his own, and Everton’s hopes to sign him last month suggest that there is an air of regret over on Merseyside, with this centre-forward projected to keep on improving and hitting a high level.
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