Hello, and welcome to the end of season loan round-up. Those plying their trade away from Goodison Park have had varying degrees of success, with many of them unsure of their futures at the club. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the final report of the 2023/24 campaign.
National League:
Harry Tyrer-1st-Chesterfield
Tyrer enjoyed a fantastic loan spell at Chesterfield, playing a key role as the Spireites stormed to promotion, ending the season on 98 points.
The goalkeeper played 42 out of 46 league games, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process.
And the 22-year-old’s consistency between the sticks saw him rewarded with a one-year extension at his boyhood club, having impressed those back at Finch Farm throughout the season.
Tyrer’s table-topping campaign was his second experience of men’s football, after his maiden loan at Chester in 2022/23.
His form at the Seals caught the eye of manager Paul Cook, who secured the academy graduate’s signature last summer.
“He will come for crosses; he’s a good shot stopper; he’s a good talker,” said Cook. “In my opinion, all he needs now is to accumulate games as he’s going along and gain that vital experience over the next couple of years. That’ll see him progress to be a really top goalkeeper.”
Moving forward, however, Tyrer’s future remains unclear.
With Sean Dyche allowing Andy Lonergan to leave the club, the Toffees will be in the market for a goalkeeper and with transfer funds limited, the young stopper may fit the bill.
Despite the uncertainty around next season, one thing is clear- Everton have an exciting talent on their hands.
Championship:
Lewis Warrington-21st- Plymouth Argyle
The Wallasey-born midfielder had a campaign of real ups and downs, as his loan spell at Argyle didn’t quite go to plan.
Warrington had excelled at Tranmere and Fleetwood in the two seasons prior, racking up over 60 appearances and cementing himself as a regular at both clubs.
The move to Plymouth seemed a smart one with the Pilgrims competing in the Championship, however the 21-year-old found it difficult to secure a place in the squad, appearing just four times, before returning to Merseyside for treatment on an ankle injury.
This, coupled with the form of Jordan Houghton, left Warrington unable to showcase his talent at Home Park and brought an end to a disappointing loan.
Since returning to Finch Farm, however, the former Gwladys Street STH has impressed, and earned his first league appearance for the Toffees, coming on as a late substitute in the final home game of the season against Sheffield United.
After the victory over the Blades, Dyche was full of praise for the youngster.
“He’s been terrific. A young player, he trains so well, so hard, gives his lot, (he’s) got a brilliant attitude, and it was nice to get him on even if it was for a few moments.”
Warrington’s contract at the club is up this summer, although with the potential sale of Amadou Onana, Everton will need cover in midfield.
With spends remaining tight, it might be a sensible option to extend the academy graduate’s current deal and afford a chance to a died-in-the-wool Evertonian rather than an unknown talent.
Time will tell…
Premier League:
Neal Maupay-16th-Brentford
Maupay’s return to Brentford was a fruitful one, as the Frenchman managed 8 goals in 31 appearances for the Bees.
Whilst these are hardly impressive numbers for a centre-forward, they’re a huge upgrade on his total of 1 in 32 for Everton.
It’s no secret that the 27-year-old wants away from Merseyside this summer, after his £15m move to Goodison was nothing short of disastrous for club and player alike.
Despite his successful loan back in West London, Maupay won’t be signing for Brentford, meaning Everton will need to find another buyer.
Eight goals in sixteen starts this campaign suggests the striker could do a job under Sean Dyche next term, however bridges were well and truly burnt between player and supporters, after congratulating Lewis Dunk on Instagram, following the defender’s late equaliser against the Toffees in February.
Positively, the upturn in Maupay’s form should coincide with an increase in market value, helping Everton financially.
Championship/Premier League:
Mason Holgate-Southampton/Sheffield United
Holgate’s troubles at nailing down a spot have continued this season, with two underwhelming loan moves.
Having begun the campaign at Southampton, the defender endured a nightmarish start, losing 5-0 at Sunderland in his first appearance.
The 27-year-old appeared on just six more occasions for the Saints, before transferring to Sheffield United on deadline day.
For the second time in a matter of months, Holgate lost 5-0 on debut.
The former England u21 international played ten times for the Blades, as their horrendous campaign drew to a close.
Holgate, who has made almost 150 appearances for the Toffees, is in an unenviable position of being frozen out of his parent club and failing to impress elsewhere.
After being spectacularly hooked by Sean Dyche during a tough afternoon against Manchester City, there was no way back for Holgate at Everton and he will surely be sold.
The problem is to who? The ex-Barnsley man has never recaptured the form he shown under Carlo Ancelotti in 2019/20 and has garnered a reputation as something of a liability.
For all parties, a clean break is needed, and hopefully the Blues can make some much-needed cash and Holgate can get back to enjoying his football.
League One:
Stanley Mills- 5th- Oxford United
Mills produced an electric start to his time at Oxford, until a serious knee injury against Coventry City ended his season.
The 20-year-old had appeared in 27 games by January, delighting the Kassam Stadium with his creativity and endeavour.
Mills only managed a solitary goal for the club, however registered 6 assists for the U’s.
The winger is still undergoing rehabilitation at Finch Farm and is aiming to be back fit by October.
Once fit, it will be interesting to see how Everton manage his progression, with Oxford securing promotion to the Championship.
Having scored 17 goals in 48 matches for the u23’s, Mills’ form was recognised with two first-team appearances, before being loaned out to League One.
The next step would surely be the Championship and where better to progress than his former club.
Elijah Campbell-22nd-Fleetwood
The 19-year-old defender suffered relegation on his first loan spell, as Fleetwood dropped down to League Two.
Campbell, who was a part of the Everton substitutes at Burnley in December, featured 12 times for the Cod Army.
The ex-England u18 international got off to a successful start at the Highbury Stadium, losing just two of his first nine games, before an unfortunate injury curtailed his season, playing three more games before winding down the campaign amongst the subs.
Campbell has one year left on his current deal and is highly thought of at Finch Farm.
Conference North:
Zan-Luk Leban-20th-Farsley Celtic
Leban’s first season in men’s football was a rollercoaster one, with Celtic going from play-off contenders at Christmas, to securing safety on the final day.
Despite the capitulation of Clayton Donaldson’s side, the goalkeeper remained a steady presence throughout, recording 15 clean sheets in 41 appearances to help ensure survival.
The Slovenia youth international became something of a fan favourite at the Citadel after his heroics during the heat of the relegation scrap.
With one year left on his contract at Everton, Leban will be hoping for another loan, however with the clouds of uncertainty around his parent club, no outcome can be ruled out.
It’s clear the 21-year-old is a talented, young stopper and with the Blues needing to sell players, the club may well be open to offers for him.
League Two:
Reece Welch-24th- Forest Green Rovers
After his fine form for the academy, Welch’s loan to Forest Green was an exciting one, however the 20-year-old failed to replicate the performances that warranted an Everton debut under Frank Lampard and was recalled in January.
The defender appeared 23 times for Rovers but lost his place after an error at home to Grimsby Town and returned to Finch Farm during Troy Deeney’s disastrous tenure at the New Lawn.
Welch, who is contracted until 2026, has appeared ten times for the u23’s since his recall.
Reports from Footy Insider have this week said the club plans to loan out the academy graduate, with NEC and Heerenveen registering an interest.
Following the success of Jarrad Branthwaite’s spell in the Eredivisie, it’s certainly a good pathway to follow and one that would suit all parties.
Scottish Championship:
Sean McAllister-9th-Inverness Caledonian Thistle
McAllister’s spell in Scotland was an unfortunate one, as his encouraging performances were overshadowed by injuries and relegation.
The 21-year-old joined Thistle in January, as Everton great Duncan Ferguson attempted to stave off relegation.
McAllister’s run in the team was interrupted by a persistent thigh problem, meaning he missed the relegation play-off loss against Hamilton Academicals.
The midfielder racked up 11 games, scoring three goals and is out of contract this summer.
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