Everton U21’s forward Tom Cannon has been having a stellar season on loan at Preston North End and will surely be in Sean Dyche’s plans for next season as the Blues look to strengthen in attack.
Everton’s attacking options have been limited throughout the campaign, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggles with injury and £15m summer signing Neal Maupay struggles for form.
A January recall of Ellis Simms from his loan at Sunderland provided the Toffees with an additional option upfront, but Dyche has been opting to utilise winger Demarai Gray as a forward more often than not in recent weeks.
Summer investment upfront will be crucial, but surely 20-year-old Tom Cannon will return to Goodison Park to link up with the senior squad ahead of next season.
His loan spell at Deepdale has been a resounding success and there are big expectations that he’ll be the next academy graduate to break into the first team.
Cannon impresses in the Championship, but Everton could unleash him in the PL next season
Indeed, the youngster seems up to the task, continuing his rich vein of form on Monday with his seventh goal in seven starts for Preston, who overcame Reading in a 2-1 win.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Preston North End fan Olly Dawes of Deepdale Digest believes Cannon has adapted well to life in the Championship as the youngster takes the next step in his development.
Olly, in an interview with Everton News, said: “It took Cannon a few games to really get used to Championship football, which is understandable for a young player in their first loan spell. Once he got that elusive first goal, he has just grown in confidence and is firing us towards the playoffs.
Cannon’s pace has added something different to the PNE side and you can see the added composure he now has in front of goal. Manager Ryan Lowe was a striker in his playing days and seems to have really helped Cannon take that next leap in his development.
Everyone is now hoping for Cannon to stay for another year, but that feels more and more unlikely with each goal.”
Indeed, the Ireland U21 star has been in devastating form since his January switch to Deepdale, and the controversial decision to loan him out while the Blues are short upfront is proving to be a wise one, as his first-team experience could be invaluable should he return to Everton in the summer.