Opinion: Midfielder has a big problem at Everton, difficult decision to make in 18 days
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton vs Manchester City - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - March 31, 2018 Everton's Beni Baningime applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Peter Powell EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Beni Baningime has an uncertain future at Everton after being on the periphery over the last 12 months. His failure to get first-team football in 2018/19 led to him joining Wigan Athletic on a short-term loan, but he endured a forgettable stint with the Latics and made only one Championship appearance due to injury.
The 20-year-old’s last outing for Everton was against Swansea City on April 14, 2018. Marco Silva has overlooked the midfielder since his appointment last summer and doesn’t appear likely to give him a chance this season either – Baningime currently finds himself in the u23s and played in Monday’s goalless draw with Leicester City.
With competition from Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph, Morgan Schneiderlin, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies, the DR Congo man has a tough task getting minutes in the senior team. His chances don’t bode well if Silva has already demoted him to the reserves.
As per ESPN, the summer transfer window shuts on Monday, September 2, so Baningime has 18 days to decide his future – stay at Everton and risk spending the season with the u23s, or seek a loan/permanent move away to get first-team football. He can still join clubs outside of England until early next month, so time will tell what decision he comes to.