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Henen plays down exit speculation

Lyndon Lloyd Wednesday, 16 November, 2016 14comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton U23 striker David Henen has responded to rumours that he has rejected a five-year deal with the club.

Sport writer Paul Brown who reports for the Daily Star and Sunday Express, among others, tweeted earlier today that, according to "sources", the Belgian was considering a move to Lille, presumably out of a desire for first-team football.

Henen offered his response via Twitter, telling a supporter that he had no idea what Brown was talking about.

The 20-year-old, signed from Olympiacos last year, has yet to make an appearance for the Blues' first team but spent time on loan at Fleetwood last season and has been talked about in terms of going out on a temporary spell again in January, this time to the Championship.  

Reader Comments (14)

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Keith Conchie
1 Posted 16/11/2016 at 18:41:04
I had hoped, by now to have seen him breaking into the first team.

He's 20 years old, and has been with the club long enough to have shown his worth. I have to admit that I haven't been following his progress enough to comment on his ability, but I'm sure others on here will know more about him.

If he's got the potential and still developing , then we should keep hold of him for now. If he's not progressing enough, then surely it's time for him to go.

I'd be interested to hear what others on here make of him, who follow the U23s more than me.

Mick Davies
2 Posted 16/11/2016 at 18:44:33
A 5-year deal? He's 20 and yet he's never been near to a first team game! This is all very strange, and I wish our 'honest speaking' manager would come out and clarify this baffling situation.
Barry McNally
3 Posted 16/11/2016 at 18:57:48
I saw him playing for Fleetwood last February – he's not fit to tie Niasse's boots never mind inherit his locker!
Darryl Ritchie
4 Posted 16/11/2016 at 19:00:03
Mick, I be very surprised if Koeman has anything to do with this. He might have an opinion, but the club has so many executive layers now, It's just one of many. And probably not the final one.
Lori Fekete
5 Posted 16/11/2016 at 19:34:17
Probably end up being another Dier or Mustafi situation.
Ciarán McGlone
6 Posted 16/11/2016 at 19:58:17
He's not very good.
Phill Thompson
7 Posted 16/11/2016 at 20:20:34
It's hard to say that any of the three main attackers used by the U23s in the past 16 months – Henen, Dyson and Duffus – have been consistent enough to think they have a future at a Premier League level. All have had their moments, but not consistently and Henen has looked good in bursts but certainly not good enough to warrant a 5-year deal... that can't be right.

A loan deal in January would be ideal for him to prove himself, but I don't think we'd find a Championship club prepared to start him regularly, so probably a League One club.

Calvert-Lewin and Charsley are looking good at U23 level, and we have young attackers from last season's U18s still to be given a chance, like Brewster, Holland and Nathan Broadhead who's been hitting the headlines by scoring 5 goals for Wales U19s in two matches in the last 5 days.

It's a pretty tough environment for Henen. I'm a great one for giving youngsters as much time as we can to develop rather than cut them too early, get him out on loan in January and let's see what he can do, but I fear he's going to be caught up by younger players if he doesn't progress significantly this season.

Brent Stephens
8 Posted 16/11/2016 at 20:36:59
What I've seen of him in the U21s says we'd never offer him a 5-year deal.
Dave Williams
9 Posted 16/11/2016 at 21:13:05
What has happened to Brewster? He was looking good but I haven't seen him on a team sheet in ages.
James Brand
10 Posted 16/11/2016 at 22:35:24
Problem is that it's not part of Koeman's remit to bring on our youngsters. He will serve his 3 years and move on and will be judged on results in that period rather than whether he gave debuts to academy prospects.

Exactly what Mourinho does – not that he doesn't like youngsters, he's just not going to be around long enough to take the credit for the results...

What would you do in their position? Bring through some academy kids (who, let's be honest, unless they're like Rooney who was ready for Premier League first team football at 14 years old, they all need some "development") or blow 㿊m+ on an established Premier League player?

It hurts me as a Blue to say it but Koeman is not an Everton fan, so he will always go with the latter...

Alan J Thompson
11 Posted 17/11/2016 at 02:02:28
We always used to blame Moyes for Jutkiewicz(?), Spencer, Vellios but what has happened to McAleny, Byrne, Niasse, Rodriguez, Junior and how many more? Are we just better informed concerning younger players or is this the downside of the pyramid theory?
Harry Wallace
12 Posted 17/11/2016 at 08:05:28
I've got to agree with James.
Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 17/11/2016 at 09:26:12
Phil Thompson (#7),

I would agree with practically every word of your post. That is how I see the situation and it is good that you haven't put a downer on any of these lads but just offered an honest opinion.

Mark Andersson
14 Posted 17/11/2016 at 10:34:02
Only a bit disappointed about the Chelsea game... now that is more amo for his detractors.

Personally I think he made a mistake taking the Everton job.

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