Everton confirmed on Thursday night that Kieran Dowell joined Derby County on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old has struggled for playing time at Goodison Park and has sought another temporary move away to get first-team football. New Derby manager Philip Cocu beat out competition from Sheffield United to land the the £15k-per-week midfielder.
Dowell would have found himself behind Andre Gomes, Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies, Morgan Schneiderlin and Gylfi Sigurdsson at Everton next season, so he’s made the wise move to join a side willing to give him more opportunities. Since rising through the youth ranks to the Blues’ first-team in 2017, the England u21 international has made only five appearances in all competitions.
It’s hard to see Dowell having a long-term future at Everton due to him racking up only 135 minutes of football since May 2016, but his third loan spell away is a big chance to shine. The 21-year-old’s had stints at Nottingham Forest (August 3, 2017 – May 31, 2018) and Sheffield United (January 2, 2019 – May 31, 2019) in the past, but it hasn’t led to more opportunities at senior level.
Marcel Brands’ relationship with Cocu helped push through Dowell’s deal, with the pair having a ‘working alliance’ at PSV Eindhoven in the past. Time will tell if Dowell can impress at the iPro Stadium to resurrect his Everton career.