With Everton suffering a pre-season defeat to FC Porto in Sunday evening’s action, it appears young midfielder Tom Davies is bearing the brunt of fans frustrations.
The 20-year-old got a taste of top-flight football coming into the Everton first-team setup in the 2015/16 campaign where he made two appearances in the Premier League in games against Southampton and Norwich City. 2016/17 became his breakthrough season though as he made 25 appearances across all competitions, returning two goals and he continued that in 2017/18 with a further 43 appearances and another two goals.
Despite his game time, he has only made 46 starting appearances in total though and with a packed midfield he has struggled to make that starting berth his own and some fans feel that it’s time for him to head out on loan for his development, believing his Porto showing proves he’s stalled at the club.
It’s only natural given his age really, but a solid loan spell out could be what he needs to take that next step and develop more consistency to his game.
Dowell is better than Davies. Has to be said.
— Matty (@_MattyEFC) July 22, 2018
Imagine wanting rid of schneiderlain or besic and wanting to keep Tom Davies
— Jamie EFC (@EFCparkender) July 22, 2018
When is Davies’ loan to Birmingham going through? #EFC
— CC (@Cunnginham) July 22, 2018
Davies offers nothing at all Baines keane has to go not even good enough for back up #efc
— Martin rigby (@MartinRigby14) July 22, 2018
Agree with alot of that. I really enjoyed the style of play we had and you can see what the manager wants. Sadly Keane just isn't going to come good, he is awful. Dowell and Davies may need loans too as they dont look ready yet imo.
Sandro tho may well suit this system ????— Blackwatch78 (@blackwatch78efc) July 22, 2018
Think Gana and Gylfi are given, but apart from Gylfi who do we have in that position? The other midfield berth should be alternated between Besic, Schneiderlin and Dowell depending on opposition. Davies really needs a loan to a top championship or lower PL level team.
— Peter Meter (@Peter82Meter) July 22, 2018
I have wanted to see Davies develop and have given him benefit of the doubt, but he looked really poor tonight and hasn't looked great for a while. At his age I feel a loan would really help him. Besic back fit looks a better option all of a sudden.
— Blackwatch78 (@blackwatch78efc) July 22, 2018
There’s no talent there. He’s league 2 standard and that was shown all last season aswell. Nowhere near good enough. If he wasn’t local it would be a different story that’s why he gets the fools pardon
— Jonny Lennon (@JonnyLefc) July 22, 2018
Every 1 of our young players are better than Tom Davies
— Lester36 (@ryanw2345) July 22, 2018