Ademola Lookman hasn’t had the best of times after returning to Everton last summer on the back of a successful loan spell with RB Leipzig. The youngster has featured in only 601 minutes of league football, often being frozen out of the squad by manager Marco Silva.
This summer, Everton are keen to sign a new wide-attacker, who will be able to provide competition to Theo Walcott. But, Silva should instead provide Lookman with another chance to make a breakthrough into the starting lineup next season and use that additional sum to fund a move for a new central midfielder.
Lookman’s pace could be useful for Everton next season
It’s probably fair to say that Lookman hasn’t been able to make the best use of his limited opportunities at Everton during the 2018/19 campaign. But, the 21-year-old is still equipped with a certain set of traits that could make him a valuable component in the Everton attack.
His pace, in particular, is something that could make Everton much more dangerous on the break. The English forward also has a box of trickery up his sleeves that enables him to take on defenders and provide the threat going forward. And this could be useful, especially when probing oppositions, who play with a deep line of defence. Lookman, therefore, could be a handy player to have, assuming Everton will play with even more possession next season.
Furthermore, the 21-year-old doesn’t have a designated weak foot, which allows him to either act as an inverted winger or get to the byline and whip in dangerous crosses into the box. It also enables him to cover both flanks – making him somewhat versatile in the final third. And this versatility often becomes useful in such a long and strenuous schedule of English football.
Silva’s lack of reliable options could also be a reason
The main factor that might force Silva to hand Lookman a second opportunity next season is his lack of reliable options in the wide attacking positions. Star player Theo Walcott has been incredibly inconsistent, which has offered Silva no choice but to deploy Richarlison in the right-wing slot, after utilising him as a false nine for the most of the campaign.
The Brazilian has still managed to end the campaign as the club’s joint leading goalscorer, but one could argue that he will be much more productive when deployed in the left wing. Lookman, to that end, can operate in the right wing slot, thus allowing Richarlison to revert back to the other side of the field next season.
