Nathangelo Markelo left Everton to join FC Twente on a season-long loan in July, but his stint at the De Grolsch Veste has turned into a nightmare.
The 21-year-old has struggled for fitness and playing time in the Netherlands and his disappointing loan spell might affect his future at Everton.
Markelo signed a two-year deal before joining Twente, but he’s not likely to break into our first-team if he’s not impressing out on loan.
What’s gone wrong at Twente?
Markelo has made only two appearances in all competitions for The Tukkers this season, the last of which came in September.
He came off the bench with 15 minutes to go in Twente’s 2-0 win over Fortuna Sittard (September 12) and came off the bench with 12 minutes to go in their 1-1 draw with Feyenoord (September 20).
The Dutchman was then an unused substitute in Twente’s 3-1 win over FC Groningen (September 25) and 1-1 draw with FC Emmen (October 3), and he hasn’t made the matchday squad since.
Markelo finds himself behind Tyronne Ebuehi in the right-back pecking order and behind Godfried Roemeratoe and Wout Brama in the holding role, but it’s his recent knee injury that could keep him out of action for some time.
The 21-year-old damaged his medial collateral ligament (MCL), so he’ll have a task on his hands to get a reprieve from Ron Jans when he does eventually return.
Does Markelo have a future back at Everton?
That may depend on how this season goes. If Markelo doesn’t pay a lot of games for Twente, his stock will be pretty low.
He’ll have one year remaining on his deal, won’t be considered worthy of competing with Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny for a starting place at right-back, or Allan, Tom Davies and Fabian Delph for a holding role, so he might be made available for sale.
That being said, if Markelo forces his way into the side and puts in some impressive performances, we might be talking about him being promoted to our first-team next season.
Everton handed him a two-year deal without him making a single first-team appearance for us, so they believe he has the potential. Here’s hoping we see it.
In other news, how is Theo Walcott faring back at Southampton?