:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63921225/1069794548.jpg.0.jpg)
Everton had no less than 21 players out-on-loan this season. In the case of the “deadwood” players we featured last week, this was the only way the club could reduce the wage bill. However, there are a lot of promising young players on the books at Everton who spent the season elsewhere in order to get more experience.
Here, we’ll see how they got on.
The Youngsters
Henry Onyekuru - Galatasaray
Having found it impossible to earn a work permit in order to play for Everton thus far, Onyekuru had another strong season with 16 goals for Turkish giants, Galatasaray.
The skilled winger favours playing on the left of a front three and likes to cut inside for a shot, although he is also a good finisher in and around the box.
Questionable rumours have him linked to a £35 million move to Bayern Munich, but these are likely to be nonsense.
If he can get a work permit, he may end up at Goodison next season. If not, it would be good to see the 21-year-old test himself in one of Europe’s top five leagues at least.
His Everton contracts runs until 2022.
Minutes: 2952, Apps: 37(6), Goals: 16, Assists: 3, MOTM: 3
Nikola Vlasic – CSKA Moscow
Shone for CSKA Moscow this season – even helping them to a double-win over Real Madrid, with Vlasic scoring the winner at the Bernabeu. Played mostly in the middle of the park and had his hand in many goals and assists.
It does seem, though, that he has little desire to return to Goodison Park after being frozen out following Ronald Koeman’s dismissal last season, while it’s unclear whether Marco Silva wants him back at the club.
Who knows where he’ll be next season, although playing back-up to Gylfi Sigurdsson is certainly a possibility.
Would be a shame to see the 21-year-old Croatian leave the club, though, as he clear has a lot of ability.
His Everton contracts runs until 2022.
Minutes: 2729, Apps: 31(0), Goals: 8, Assists: 7, MOTM: 7
Antonee Robinson – Wigan Athletic
Aside from a mid-season injury to his thigh that required surgery, Antonee Robinson has been a mainstay at left-back and left wing-back as Wigan managed to comfortably retain their Championship status with an 18th place finish.
The youngster now also has six caps for the United States, although he has shown he definitely needs defensive work after being exposed by top players such as Douglas Costa. That said, he is a real threat going forward.
Nevertheless, another successful loan spell for the 21-year-old who may well find himself in the Everton first-team squad providing back-up to Lucas Digne – although that is largely dependent on whether Leighton Baines stays at the club. If Baines does stay, it would be good to see Robinson prove himself a promotion-chasing Championship club.
His Everton contracts runs until 2021.
Minutes: 2340, Apps: 26, Goals: 0, Assists: 1, MOTM: 0
Beni Baningime – Wigan Athletic
Hugely disappointing loan spell for Beni. He arrived on loan at Wigan in January to replace Callum Connolly but made just one 90-minute appearance and barely made a match day squad after that.
There’s no news as to whether he wasn’t featured because of a fitness issue or whether he just wasn’t rated.
The 20-year-old had a promising breakthrough season at Everton in 2018/19, but he’ll need to seriously to have a seriously good loan spell next season if he wants to work his way back into first-team contention.
His Everton contracts runs until 2022.
Minutes: 90, Apps: 1, Goals: 0, Assists: 0, MOTM: 0
Callum Connolly – Wigan Athletic / Bolton Wanderers
Started the season at Wigan and scored on his debut for the Latics (again), but struggled to hold down a regular first team place at the DW Stadium.
He switched to Bolton in January and enjoyed much more first team action, with the versatile 21-year-old playing in multiple positions before playing consistently in the middle of the park alongside fellow Blue loanee, Joe Williams.
Ultimately disappointing season though, with Bolton being relegated and the club in a deep financial crisis.
His Everton contracts runs until 2021.
[Wigan] Minutes: 950, Apps: 9(10), Goals: 1, Assists: 0, MOTM: 0
[Bolton] Minutes: 1358, Apps: 15(1), Goals: 2, Assists: 2, MOTM: 0
Joe Williams – Bolton Wanderers
Similar story to the 2017/18 season for Williams: was one of his side’s best performers but had a few badly-timed muscle injuries and eventually saw his side be relegated.
Marco Silva apparently thought highly of him last summer, but at 22, time may be ticking on his Everton career unless he sufficiently impresses the Blues boss in pre-season. The Blues did, though, reject a £1 million bid from Bristol City for him in January, so let’s not rule anything out.
Always played when available and clocked up the seventh most tackles per 90 minutes (2.7) in the Championship. Williams was also utilised in a more attacking midfield role from time-to-time and showed his qualities on the ball.
His Everton contracts runs until 2020.
Minutes: 2526, Apps: 29(1), Goals: 0, Assists: 2, MOTM: 0
Kieran Dowell – Sheffield United
While Sheffield United gained promotion to the Premier League, Kieran Dowell spent much of his loan spell watching from the bench after making the move to Bramall Lane in January.
That said, Dowell did chip in with some crucial moments – including a fantastic header in their 1-0 win over West Brom.
He’s not ready to be the main man at Everton yet, but time will tell whether Marco Silva will opt to use Dowell as a more active back-up to Gylfi Sigurdsson or send the 21-year-old out on another loan.
His Everton contracts runs until 2021.
Minutes: 757, Apps: 9(8), Goals: 2, Assists: 0, MOTM: 1
Mason Holgate – West Bromwich Albion
Made the right-back spot his own at the Hawthorns after joining the club in January and certainly impressed, with the Baggies reportedly keen on keeping hold of him.
Right-back is certainly one of Everton’s more problematic areas, so don’t be surprised to see him given the chance to challenge Seamus Coleman for the position next season.
The season ended on a disappointing note for Holgate, though, as he missed their first penalty in West Brom’s play-off shootout defeat to Aston Villa.
The 22-year-old is probably the most likely of all of Everton’s loanees to have a serious future at the club.
His Everton contracts runs until 2022.
Minutes: 1860, Apps: 22(1), Goals: 1, Assists: 4, MOTM: 3
Antony Evans – Blackpool
The 20-year-old midfield didn’t get as much action for League One Blackpool as you would have hoped after joining in January. Hard to see a way for him into the Everton first-team fold.
His Everton contracts runs until 2020.
Minutes: 614, Apps: 9(3), Goals: 0, Assists: 0
Shayne Lavery - Falkirk
Barely got a minute at the Scottish Championship’s bottom club after moving in January, although he did shine for Northern Ireland’s under 21s. However, the 20-year-old’s contract is up in the summer and it’s likely he’ll be let go.
His Everton contract expires this summer.
Minutes: 2952, Apps: 31(6), Goals: 1, Assists: 1,
Joe Hilton – Marine
The 19-year-old goalkeeper impressed at ninth-tier side Marine after joining in January, although his side did suffer their first relegation in their 125-year history.
He may be out of contract in the summer, but he should have done enough to have earned an extension and the chance to try himself at a higher level next season.
His Everton contract expires this summer.
Minutes: 2952, Apps: 18(0), Clean Sheets: 6