Seasons2020-21Everton News
Unsworth predicts five U23 players could be loaned out
David Unsworth says that he expects a number of his Under-23 side to head out on loan this season.
The new Academy Director named five players — Dennis Adeniran, Beni Baningime, Nathan Broadhead, Josh Bowler and Callum Connolly — who he expects will be spending the campaign elsewhere, most likely in the Championship, but he admits any loan arrangements would likely be completed late.
Among the named players, Adeniran is the only one who has not yet been farmed out on loan but Unsworth expects that to change.
"They're not here playing because we're hand-picking them," he told the Liverpool Echo after last night's 3-0 win over Chelsea in which both Connolly and Bowler scored.
"We want them to go out on loan and giving them a game in the U23s gives them a showcase to get that loan.
"Dennis, Beni, Nathan, Josh, Callum — they are all players I expect to be out on loan but the loan [window] is a little bit later so I understand why clubs haven't taken them yet.
"It'll probably be last-minute for most of them but I certainly expect all of them to go out on loan. On tonight's performance they have certainly shown they are top young players."
Reader Comments (8)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 22/09/2020 at 19:19:51
I will be amazed if they get a Championship club and if by a miracle they do they will be dropped within weeks!!
4 Posted 22/09/2020 at 21:14:20
Unless by 'Championship' we actually mean on par with Calvert-Lewin and Holgate, then I agree, they won't make that Championship standard.
5 Posted 22/09/2020 at 22:18:55
Where was young Connolly's last loan? Fleetwood, I think. Bowler was rubbish at Hull and got chased...
Let's see if your beloved young U23 players make it as top players. I say they are not and never have been or will be.
Our newly appointed Academy Director, Mr Unsworth, says they have proved themselves as top young players; I say they haven't, they will all crash and burn. None of them will be Championship standard never mind good enough for Everton... What do you say? Over to you...
6 Posted 22/09/2020 at 23:20:03
All very sensible handling of young players by Unsworth so far as I can see. Those lads are helping transition the teenagers into the set-up for the time being. When they leave, those teenagers will be better placed to take responsibility and help the next wave through.
Not sure what the big deal is, Antony.
7 Posted 23/09/2020 at 04:49:31
The jump to playing top flight is big, the jump to playing week-in & week-out in the Championship, League 2 or any professional league is big – even from Premier League U23 sides... but then that's why they might be going out on loan. Hopefully, as they're our players, they will do well, gain some experience and come through.
The likelihood is of course that most won't. But do you like rocking up to U12s games and shouting at kids that they should give up now because "They are not and never have been or will be [top players]"?
Are you hoping Branthwaite's ankle has complications so you can get excited that it doesn't work out for another young player? Relishing that Tom Davies is sold and has his career ended some how? I can't see why anyone would relish in the failure of people they don't know's career, hopes and dreams – let alone if those people have an affiliation with the club you support.
I get that demanding that they're all given a go in our first team after a few good U23s games makes no sense, but come on, dial it back a bit.
8 Posted 23/09/2020 at 11:37:19
Connolly has already played nearly 100 games in the Championship – despite his last loan being in League One. I think that already qualifies him as being Championship standard.
Bowler didn't get chased out of Hull. He was injured for part of the season and still featured in over 50% of games. He might not get an immediate move to the Championship, but I would say he has already proved he can cope in the Championship.
I'm not sure how serious you are being – but Unsworth stating that they are top young players is more of an indication that they are too good for U23 level – not that they are going to be world beaters.
As someone has alluded to on a different thread, we have a duty of care to find these players the best clubs possible for their careers. By doing this, it ensures that we have a reputation so, when an Under-10 star has the choice of academies, we might be seen more favourably.
As for the cost of Adeniran and Bowler – they are minimal risk and I'm sure the similar risky transfers of Calvert-Lewin and Holgate more than mitigate any potential loss from the transfer fees on these two.
10 Posted 24/09/2020 at 11:15:15
Even if they don't make it into our first team, they're still assets that might be sold to a Championship club one day.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
Top of the Page
1 Posted 22/09/2020 at 19:06:39