Everton have confirmed rumours and speculation that Under-21 striker Francis Okoronkwo has signed a new deal with the club.
The deal for the 19-year-old runs through June 2026.
Everton secured his acquisition as a very promising teenager from Sunderland's Academy in a deal reported to be worth up to PS1M 2 years ago.
In that time he has worked his way through the U18s to cement a place in Paul Tait's Under-21 side. He played in all 26 Premier League 2 games last season, scoring 4 goals. He scored another 5 goals in the various cup games, missing only 1 of the 17 played.
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Although the young striker has enjoyed training the first team and watching Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he has yet to be involved in any first-team squads on matchday.
"I think going up to train with the Senior Team has been great for my learning," he told EvertonFC.com. "The speed and the tempo they play is very different. But I feel like after a few weeks in pre-season, I got better. I just want more opportunities with them.
"I like to watch DCL and everything he does. I love watching him play. I feel like the one thing he does most is he always helps the team no matter where he is on the pitch."
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Posted 14/11/2023 at 14:59:48
So any editorial thoughts from those who have seen this kid play? Does he have a chance to make it?
Posted 14/11/2023 at 15:30:27
My concern is that he isn't a prolific scorer at his age group levels. If this is something that the coaches feel they can help improve, and he has other attributes, then that is okay.
But the strikers we tend to see coming through early are usually those scoring every week.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 15:54:16
Most of the young promising hopefuls tend to get forgotten when the big money, big wage signings come in but maybe this lad will be an exception.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 16:23:44
It's very hard to see how he's better than Simms or Cannon given their respective records at the age groups.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 17:39:53
I've seen him a few times and he is roughly the size of Simms but with much more about him as a footballer. However, he doesn't score anything like as often as Simms. Maybe it's because he gets played wide a bit but even then he ought to be scoring more.
And he's not yet had any international recognition either - which is not a great sign.
But the club is obviously showing some faith with the new contract so hopefully he kicks on. But probably more likely that we're ensuring we get a Simms- or Cannon-like fee if sold in a couple of years.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 17:43:48
Have watched him since he first got some U23s time, about the same time as Kouyate first came through. I can't say I've seen much progress from him - some exciting "mazey" runs at times but often as not into a dead-end.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 17:57:59
You watch the U23s a lot Brent. I know it's hard to predict, but what do you think?
Posted 14/11/2023 at 17:58:42
Fully agree with the foregoing comments. He's 19 but nowhere near challenging for the first team. Dobbin is well ahead of him and he can't get any time to speak of, coming off the bench once in a Blue Moon under Dyche. So his chances must be rated slim at best.
I think the club need players at U21 and U18 level - by my limited records based on appearances, there's a whole slew of players currently out injured and they are struggling to field full teams and subs benches. So it makes sense to hold onto ones like him - he seems to have been largely injury-free.
But he just does not score enough goals.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 18:07:30
Hope he comes good but his stats aren't that good. Probably as likely to make it in the prem as his namesake from a Wimbledon Common!
Posted 14/11/2023 at 18:36:12
Good luck to him as he seems enthusiastic. Now needs to demand to go out on loan to be judged, it's the best litmus test. It might spur him on, be the making of him, or he can't find a way to improve.
Hard to judge his standard as most academy players in the academy competitions he plays against every week won't make it to a Premier League player standard unfortunately for different reasons. Only playing in a men's league tells you if you can play against men, against different types of ages and styles of players.
Hopefully no more buys from academies in the future, but only transfers in of young lads who've played adult professional football in a lower league and done well like Branthwaite, Coleman, Dele, and DCL. If a teen footballer can handle it physically and the mental pressure at a lower but good men's league level, then it's a big tick on the sheet.
Loads of young professional players in leagues like Holland and Belgium waiting for a chance to do an Onana and up their game a division higher. Some buys may end up Championship level as their ceiling, but at least if they need to be sold off will make a decent profit. Will be a much better business model than buying kids from academies.
Good luck to him.
Posted 14/11/2023 at 18:53:08
Danny #7 - prediction is to make a fool of youself. So, making a fool of myself!. Metcalfe (hard) and Dixon (fast) are more likely to get me a wee bit excited. Also Hunt (developed better than I'd thought)? But I thought e.g. Price would get there. How wrong was I?
PS, U21s now, not U23s. Pedant, Stephens.
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