Everton Loan Recap: February Report

We’re reaching the business end of the season, but how are Everton’s loan stars getting on?

Below we take a look to see who’s shining and who seems to be heading out of Goodison Park permanently.

So, let’s take a look at how Everton’s out-on-loan contingent got on in February.

Moise Kean – PSG

After seeming to be on the verge of dipping out of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at PSG, Moise Kean had a big February.

He started six of the club’s seven games in the month (mostly on the right wing), and chipped in with four goals.

Most notably, Kean scored a header in the Parisian’s eye-catching 4-1 at the Nou Camp over Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona.

Although it’s not in a Blue shirt, this is all good news for Everton as the 21-year-old’s value is only increasing.

There was some bad news for Kean heading into March though, as he tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the next few games. We wish him a speedy recovery!

Appearances: 23(5)

Goals: 15

Assists: 1

Nathan Markelo – Twente

Still yet to start a game for Twente. He did get a couple of cameo appearances from the bench at right-back in February, taking his total minutes played for the season to a paltry 102 minutes.

Appearances: 0(7)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Dennis Adeniran – Wycombe Wanderers

Fallen completely out of favour at Wycombe. Did appear once in February, and only made the bench on two occasions.

Appearances: 12(2)

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Lewis Gibson – Reading

Got a bit of playing time in February, but again didn’t make the greatest of impressions at Reading.

He played 87 minutes at left-back in a 2-1 defeat to Millwall, made a short cameo from the bench in his favoured centre-back position against Bristol City.

He then came on at half-time against Middlesbrough with his side 2-0 down. The game finished by the same scoreline.

Unfortunately, with his game time starting to increase, he picked up a knee injury which will rule him out for a few weeks.

Appearances: 4(3)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Callum Connolly – Fleetwood Town

An ever-present for Fleetwood and has even captained the side on several occasions.

The Cod Army have struggled for form of late, but Connolly has been a rare positive. His Everton contract expires in the summer, though, and at 23, it will surely be time for him to find a permanent home.

Appearances: 27(0)

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Theo Walcott – Southampton

Formed part of Southampton’s long injury list, missing the whole of February with a hamstring problem.

Appearances: 16(0)

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Jarrad Branthwaite – Blackburn Rovers

Played every minute in February, but Blackburn had a month to forget as they picked up just one point in six games.

Branthwaite wasn’t entirely blameless during this spell either, looking a bit suspect with some of his positioning in the 3-2 loss to Watford and was left on the bench for their first game in March.

There’s definitely a player there but at just 18, he’s still incredibly young for a centre-back and needs to keep learning at this level.

Appearances: 9(0)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Matthew Pennington – Shrewsbury Town

After a spell out injured shortly after joining, Pennington made his second appearance for Shrewsbury as he played the full 90 minutes at right-back in a 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers.

Another player whose contract expires in the summer.

Appearances: 2(0)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Ellis Simms – Blackpool

One of the few players seeming to be having a genuinely useful loan spell.

Despite scoring a brace on his league debut at the end of January, February was a goalless month for Simms (although he did score against Wimbledon at the weekend). That said, he did provide two assists in their 3-0 win over Charlton.

He’s been in and out of the starting line-up, but Blackpool’s manager has said he’s showing good signs of progress. Simms has split opinion among Blackpool fans, though, many of whom claim he really needs to work on his first touch.

Appearances: 4(2)

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Yannick Bolasie – Middlesbrough

Played 81 minutes on the left-wing in a 4-1 defeat to Brentford but then missed the rest Middlesbrough’s February action with a hamstring injury.

Appearances: 2(0)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Beni Baningime – Derby County

Came on for 3 minutes of Derby’s 3-0 defeat to Rotherham after completing his move to Pride Park, but then didn’t appear for the Rams again for the rest of the month, as he alternated between the bench and missing out on a squad place altogether.

Derby’s assistant manager, Liam Rosenoir, alluded to fitness issues limiting his game time, saying: “Beni has not played first-team football for quite a while but what he has done, and because we train so intensely, his fitness levels and sharpness have gone through the roof in the time he has been here.

“He is pushing, he is really pushing. He has been outstanding in training, he is pushing the other midfield players and I am sure sooner rather than later you will see him maybe come off the bench or even start a game. He is a huge part of our squad, like every member is.”

Appearances: 0(1)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Cenk Tosun – Besiktas

28 league minutes played, two goals!

Unfortunately, a knee problem has severely limited Tosun’s game time, with his only other appearance coming in the Turkish Cup.

Appearances: 1(1)

Goals: 2

Assists: 0

Anthony Gordon – Preston North End

The fans seem to love him, but it still seems Anthony Gordon has some work to do to win over Preston boss, Alex Neil.

The 20-year-old winger made three starts and three substitute appearances in February, which didn’t result in any goals or assists – although he did win a penalty shortly after coming on against Cardiff and put in a man of the match performance against QPR.

He also penned a column about his career so far for the Lancashire Post.

Needs to start really imposing himself on games to make him undroppable.

Appearances: 3(3)

Goals: 0

Assists: 0