Despite working so hard in the reserves, Beni Baningime continues to struggle for first-team opportunities at Everton. The 21-year-old had a disappointing loan spell at Wigan Athletic which set him back in his development, but he’s been a regular in the u23s ever since and still can’t get a look in.
Baningime made the matchday squad twice under Marco Silva without playing a minute of football, was overlooked under Duncan Ferguson and has been ignored by Carlo Ancelotti. What’s most surprising about his omission is that Everton have endured an injury crisis in the engine room for most of the campaign.
The Toffees have been without Jean-Philippe Gbamin since August after he picked up a quadriceps injury and had surgery. He’s also suffered a setback in his recovery and may not return before the season comes to a close. They’ve also been without Andre Gomes since November. He’s missed 14 league games so far.
Fabian Delph missed six league games through injury between November 2019 and mid-December. Morgan Schneiderlin didn’t play for seven league games between December and mid-January 2020. Baningime never got a look-in, however, and failed to secure a loan move away before the transfer window shut.
Ferguson preferring Mason Holgate in midfield over the DR Congo man against Manchester United suggests he’s very low down the pecking order too, so maybe it’s time to leave.