Everton boss Marco Silva has confirmed he plans to hold talks with disgruntled youngster Kieran Dowell about a potential loan exit in the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been a peripheral figure at Goodison Park this season as his first-team opportunities remain limited in the face of some fierce competition for places.
Dowell played in Everton’s 4-0 win over Gor Mahia in a friendly on Tuesday but afterwards admitted his frustration at his situation, with Silva now confirming that talks will be held in the coming weeks.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, he said: “Of course, he’s played in the two Carabao Cup games but he hasn’t had a big chance in the Premier League but now is not the moment to decide something. When the moment arrives I will sit with the player, I will talk with him but you never know what will happen between now and January.
“We are at the beginning of November and everything can change fast in football. If you look at our squad that started the season and the squad we have now, there is a big difference. And you never know what will happen between now and January.
“Kieran is an important player for our club and if we have to decide something I will sit down with the player, we will wait until January and decide what will be the best solution, to stay or to go if he’s not playing because if he’s playing he will stay with us.”
OPINION
It is obvious that Silva is not yet decided on Dowell’s future with the side this season, and in many ways it seems like he is keen to keep the youngster around. The England youth international is a very talented player, and having come through the academy is also well-liked among the fans. That being said, the chances of him getting regular first-team games this season are obviously slim, and Silva will be well aware of that fact. The amount and quality of players ahead of him in the pecking order means that Dowell is likely to have to make do with the occasional cup appearance at Goodison this season, and he understandably is frustrated with that. At 21 years old the playmaker needs to be playing as much as he possibly can to keep his development going, and that simply is not going to happen at Everton this season barring a massive injury crisis. While Silva is keen to remain coy on the situation, you would think that a temporary exit in January is the likeliest outcome for Dowell, and that will be something which benefits all parties.