Everton mostly spent January focusing on players leaving the club, but the Toffees’ failure to find a new home for Bassala Sambou came as a shock to David Unsworth, the academy chief has revealed to the Liverpool Echo.
There had been hope around the club that the 21-year-old would be snatched up on loan for the remainder of the season to further his development, as while the German is progressing well in the youth ranks, it will only get him so far.
This season alone has seen the Coventry City product net seven times in 17 Premier League 2 games, and stretch his tally further in the EFL Trophy with two in three.
Yet, despite the form displayed in Blue, no January enquiry led to a move for the striker and the hope of the youngster taking the next “natural step” in his career failed to materialise.
Speaking to the Echo, Unsworth has revealed his surprise at Sambou remaining part of his plans this term, although it may prove more beneficial to our long-term aspirations for the 21-year-old as his contract is set to expire in the summer and he holds the cards.
“I was surprised nobody came in for him in January because his form was good and his work-rate alone gets you up the pitch and you are able to press behind him,” Unsworth claimed.
“There were a couple of enquiries but I was expecting a call from Marcel on deadline day that he was going somewhere but he didn’t. It’s great for us in that he can lead our attack with Fraser (Hornby) but I was surprised. Moving forward, that is the natural step so let’s see what happens.
“He is doing smashing, he’s high on confidence, I enjoy watching him play and he’s a great lad so it’s really up to him, in terms of his future. If he keeps playing like this then he’s only going to go one way and that’s very high.”
Although Unsworth has been impressed with Sambou, the club’s failure to find a new home for him in January could suggest that the Toffees’ expectations are a little misjudged.
At 21, the German should be knocking on the door of first-teams at least in League One or League Two if not the lower half of the Championship, especially when you take into account his work rate off the ball and productivity with it.