OPINION
Sam Allardyce must hand Kieran Dowell an opportunity in Everton’s first-team next season, even though the brilliant 20-year-old is starting to struggle at Nottingham Forest.
Dowell is currently on loan at the Championship side until the end of the season, and after impressing at the start of his move, the starlet has failed to prove his talent in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old’s performances prompted Forest legend Garry Birtles to suggest that it was now sink or swim for Dowell at the Championship side.
“The 20-year-old is struggling to produce what he is capable of on the kind of regular basis we hope for,” said Birtles in a February column for the Nottingham Post.
“Times like this can be real sink or swim moments for young players, they can fall by the wayside or rise to the challenge.”
Since Birtles’ comments, Dowell has still failed to impress Aitor Karanka and hasn’t completed 90 minutes in the league since February 10.
Despite this, in the 42 appearances he has made this season, the young midfielder has done enough to be given a chance of getting first-team football at the Toffees next season.
Dowell’s recent struggles can easily be put down to the fact that he is tired after playing more senior football than ever before, or it could be due to the fact Karanka has opted to play him as a winger in order to accommodate others in his team.
The central midfielder is adept at playing passes at the right time and is always hunger to create opportunities for his teammates, these qualities could see him be an asset to the Toffees’ senior squad next season.
Especially as the Toffees’ current side lack a creative spark in the heart of their midfield that is capable of driving a team forward, as the likes of Wayne Rooney are clearly more suited to playing deeper in the team.
Now while Allardyce may not be known for taking chances on young talent, the Toffees manager must give Dowell a lifeline to his young career next season and see how he fairs in the senior squad.