Donkor's loan spell threatened by injury

Lyndon Lloyd Tuesday, 21 February, 2017 8comments | Jump to most recent

David Unsworth is awaiting the results from Wolfsburg's medical staff of scans on Anton Donkor's injured ankle amid fears the forward's season could be over.

The Germany U20 international, who joined Everton's development squad on loan from the Bundesliga club in January, picked up the injury in a recent U23s match against Norwich and it was deemed serious enough for him to return to his parent club for treatment and assessment.

“He was going back to Wolfsburg for an opinion over here, very similar to what we would do if we had a player out on loan,” Unsworth is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.

“Their doctors and physios were going to assess him but I've not had the results of that yet.”

“He is going to be out for a short while. Whether that keeps him out for the season or not, I'm not quite sure but hope to find out in the next couple of days."

Reader Comments (8)

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Dermot Byrne
1 Posted 21/02/2017 at 16:32:22

Unlucky

Liam Reilly
2 Posted 21/02/2017 at 18:20:08

Don't understand the logic in loaning a player to go into the development team, because I couldn't see him getting near the first team, even if fit.

Would we buy a player based on performances in the Under-23s? Doubtful.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 21/02/2017 at 19:10:07

Liam, in answer to the second part, shout me down if these examples are not comparable but under Koeman, we have bought in both Chris Renshaw and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Before him, Martinez brought in Sambou, Tarashaj, Foulds, Rodriguez, Holgate, Henen (initially on loan)...

Probably the only one that answers your question (if I'm reading it right) is David Henen, who did indeed buy on the basis of his performances in our Under-23s (probably among other factors).

David Ellis
5 Posted 22/02/2017 at 01:37:57

And Stones under Moyes???

Liam Reilly
6 Posted 22/02/2017 at 08:14:34

Henen excepted Michael (because I still don't understand that one entirely); weren't all the others bought outright, which is fair if the club is taking a gamble on a young talent.

So if the boy has potential, why not just buy him outright as opposed to a loan, because even if he showed potential in the U23s, the end of loan fee couldn't be that big; assuming there is an option to buy him of course.

Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 22/02/2017 at 15:11:23

Perhaps it's another element of the changing nature of football, Liam. I know last season we were astounded at how many players Chelsea had out on loan... now we have a count of at least EIGHTEEN out on loan ourselves!! – and most of them are U23 level or thereabouts.

Try before you buy? I know that's not the case for most of them but the loan philosophy seems to have taken deep root in football.

Dan Egerton
8 Posted 23/02/2017 at 08:03:25

"Don't understand the logic in loaning a player to go into the development team, because I couldn't see him getting near the first team, even if fit."

1) To replace Calvert Lewin joining the first team.

2) So that the U23 team, who lead the Premier League 2 table, still had a realistic chance to win a title. If our club spent a million pounds to win even the U23 title, it's a great move.

3) Aside from the glory, it helps attract the best youngsters out there. Win, win, win.

Dan Egerton
9 Posted 23/02/2017 at 08:04:22

4) Gives us a first chance look at Donkor too. We don't wanna do another Shkodran Mustafi.

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