There are numerous on loan Everton U21 players who have been in club action in recent weeks. And with it being Easter that means that the fixtures are coming thick and fast. As well as reporting on Conor McAleny, Conor Grant, Matthew Pennington and Chris Long who I spoke about in my last loan watch, the midfielder Francisco Junior and 19 year old George Green make an appearance as both have recently joined clubs lower down the English Football Pyramid to further their footballing experience. Let’s take a look at how they’re all getting on:
Francisco Junior
Last Friday Junior completed his loan move to Port Vale who are currently situated in 15th place in League One and 3 points adrift of the dreaded drop zone. Cisco’s time at Everton has been a very frustrating one since he has joined the club in 2012. He has only notched up 1 appearance which only lasted 45 minutes when Everton were defeated by Leeds United in the then named Carling Cup (League Cup for the traditionalists), since that game Junior has been on loan to Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse which was meant to be a season long loan deal but was cut short by a knee injury he suffered. A season later he joined Norwegian Tippeliga side Strømsgodset where he made 12 appearances and scored a solitary goal for the club. As I mentioned before, his time on Merseyside has been a disappointment for the former Portuguese under 21 international as in December of last year he was reported to be training with SPFL champions Celtic in bid to try and persuade Ronny Delia, who he knew from his time last season at Strømsgodset, to sign him. His trial didn’t turn out the way he wanted to and he came back to the Blues and has been a under 21’s regular ever since it. On Thursday 28th April Junior joined Port Vale, who are currently 16th in League One and 2 points off the dreaded drop zone. His debut on Saturday didn’t end well for Vale or for Junior as they fell to fellow relegation battlers Leyton Orient 3-1 after letting slip a 1-0 lead. After The Valliants’ keeper was sent off after 54 minutes Francisco made way for the substitute keeper, it topped off a frustrating day for Cisco as he was booked early on in the game. Vale’s next two games ended in losses, Vale fell 2-1 at home to Colchester United and lost 1-0 to a 95th minute winner by play off hopefuls Rochdale. Since the loss to Orient Cisco hasn’t even been named on the bench in the last two games as it seems that he has fallen out of favour with the coach.
George Green
The former Bradford academy product has been at Everton since he was 15, when he signed in 2011, a lot has been said about Green who has been tipped to break into the first team in the next few years. Last season he made a handful of appearances for the under 21s but played a vital part in the under 18 side that won the league. As you know there is a limit with how far you can go when you are playing under 21’s football and by going out on loan you will be able to experience different situations. Along with Gethin Jones and Francisco Junior, Green moved on loan to gain experience playing first team football at the club over the water at Tranmere Rovers. Green has stated he wants to prove to the manager that he can cut it, and moving to Tranmere is a good place to go as they are known for bringing through young prospects well. His debut went better than his fellow Blue, Junior, as the Birkenhead outfit drew 1-1 against AFC Wimbledon who are outsiders for a play –off spot. This was a much-needed point as Mickey Adam’s men occupy the final relegation spot. Green was a standout performer and topped off his impressive debut by scoring a 20 yard 94th minute goal that assured Tranmere a point. On April 3rd Rovers travelled to Stevenage and Green left off where he started from his impressive debut by playing his part in Tranmere’s 2 goals that earned them a point, when Tranmere boss Mickey Adams was asked about Green’s impact on the team he hailed him as a “magician”, that quote alone tells us that he is having a successful time at Prenton Park. 3 days later Green couldn’t help the Whites as they went down 1-0 to Luton Town which questions Tranmere’s status in the football league once again as they are currently occupying the last relegation spot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB4kJ3Es96Q
Matthew Pennington
Pennington’s last 3 games for the Sky Blues have been a mixed bag as they have won 1 drawn 1 and lost 1- the first game was a 1-0 win away to 10th placed Peterborough, their next game was a home loss to fellow relegation battlers Leyton Orient who are trailing Posh by 1 point and who are 20th place and finally United played out a 0-0 draw to Notts County. At this moment in the season for teams like City every point is much appreciated as they hope to retain their League One status next season,
Gethin Jones
Jones is a young prospect who has been tipped for success at the Toffees, he played a big part like Green in the Blues under 19’s title winning team. His primary position is at right back but can be used as a utility player which is seen as a big plus for him. Despite being born in the Australian city of Perth, Jones has made a number appearances for the Welsh national under 19 team and has recently broke into the under 21s.To cap off a very successful season for the young Welshman, Jones made his mark for the 1st team as he came on as a sub in the dead rubber game against Kransador. As George Green and Junior did, Jones also went on loan to Plymouth Argyle who are currently sitting 1 point off the play offs in League Two, since Jones has joined the Pilgrims they have won 1 drawn 1 and lost 1. The Green Army brushed aside Cheltenham Town 3-0 but Jones wasn’t included in the squad, this was probably because of Gethin being called up to represent Wales under 21s, whereas the next game which was 3 days later Jones was in the starting line up as they drew 1-1 at home to Burton Albion who are top of the league. Yesterday ended in disappointed for Jones and Plymouth as they were defeated away to Portsmouth.
Connor McAleny
Although the loanees at League One and Two clubs spent the international week being able to play first team footbal, this wasn’t the case for McAleny so he has able to have the week off. When first team football was back in action the Blue Birds travelled to FA Cup semi finalists Reading where City secured a late 1-1 draw, to make the point even sweeter, McAleny he scored the late equalizer with a fine finish to share the spoils. Unfortunately for Cardiff Easter Monday wasn’t a day to celebrate as they lost 3-0 to Bolton Wanderers. McAleny’s time in the Welsh capital was seemed to be a very impress one as he as catched the eye of many City fans and has surely impressed Roberto Martinez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCIDrMNlAlU
Connor Grant
Along with McAleny the international break had an impact on Scotland’s Premier division which gave Grant and his Motherwell team mates a week of rest. Motherwell’s bid for surviving the SFPL started back up on the April 4th and it was a well earned and important point as they beat Kilmarnock 2-0 away which has helped them in their bid to stay up.
Chris Long
It was the same as Grant and McAleny for Long as his Brentford team mates had the week off because of the international break and when the Championship started up they didn’t show any signs of weakness. Even though Long didn’t feature in the game, the Bees thumped lowly Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage which increases Fulham’s relegation worries and gives Brentford fans more hope that they can make it to the promised land of the Premier League. For yesterday’s home match against Millwall were Brentford left it late to come from two goals down to draw 2-2 Long was an unused sub but with the London club’s automatic promotion push I am sure Long will get a few more games under his belt.
