Joao Virginia’s situation at Reading is not getting any better it seems, after the goalkeeper made another mistake against Wolves last night.
The 19-year old Everton ‘keeper joined the Royals on a season-long loan in the summer, in a bid to earn the promising starlet some first-team minutes.
While the Portugal youth international started Reading’s first two Championship games, shaky displays and a clanger against Hull led to him being dropped, and he hasn’t seen league action since.
The former Arsenal man was given another chance to impress on Wednesday night, starting for the Royals against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, and he failed to take the opportunity to prove his worth, suffering another howler.
Bruno Jordao scored on his debut for the Midlands club, driving a low shot directly at Virginia from distance, and the young goalkeeper fumbled the attempt to claim the ball, spinning it off into the back of the net.
Predictably, many Reading fans once again took to social media to call on Reading to drop him, or in some cases, send him back to Everton.
Twitter: Name a bigger downgrade than Emi Martinez to Joao Virginia (@FinSouthKlein)
Twitter: Hi @Everton do you want Joao Virginia back? #readingfc (@mattbell40)
Twitter: I’m sick of Joao Virginia (@benturrrner)
Twitter: @Everton joao Virginia has to be the worst goalkeeper in readings history. Please take him back?
(@jimborfc1)
Twitter: Sub him off immediately and stick him straight in a taxi back to Everton please #readingfc (@Coppellmagichat)
Twitter: Not entirely sure why we haven’t cancelled Virginia’s loan, #efc have done a proper number on us. So far out of his… https://t.co/55f7eNrdHb (@KyleFroomes)
Read Everton Verdict
I think this situation is really messy and one Everton need to rectify quickly. With Virginia having already been dropped, then dropping the ball in his second chance, he needs to come back to Goodison Park.
He won’t get game time at the Madejski, and at this point it is damaging to his confidence, particularly given the social media storm that his name conjures up.
Maybe he isn’t ready for senior football, although he has only made three appearances so it is hard to judge. Maybe he needs a lower level to begin his senior career, at least until he settles. Virginia is an excellent youth ‘keeper, and he is still a real prospect at Everton, but his current situation will become damaging before it proves positive for his development.
