Former Everton forward Marcus Bent is unsure whether Josh King has a future at Goodison Park.
The Norway international made a deadline day switch from Championship side AFC Bournemouth on an initial short-term deal, but King has struggled to garner Carlo Ancelotti’s faith.
He has struggled to manage even 40 consecutive minutes in an Everton shirt and has failed to start even once in the Premier League since his move.
Given his established record in the top flight as a dependable striker for the Cherries, it is unfathomable as to why he has struggled to even start for Everton.
Marcus Bent shared his thoughts and doubts over where King’s future lies, and has cast his doubt over whether King could sign new terms, telling Football FanCast: “The team’s not been consistent, so it’s hard for him to be consistent, but when he is shining he’s played really well.
“To give him a new contract on the basis of what he’s been doing this season, the board and Carlo have got to go away and think about who they’re going to bring in, and if they can replace him with someone. That’s a hard one to answer because he’s a big part of the squad.”
In terms of squad depth, King is the club’s only out-and-out natural backup to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the centre-forward role, though Richarlison has found himself deployed as a striker at times this season.
As a result, King nonetheless remains a handy option should injury, suspension and other causes for absence build up and cause depletion in Everton’s frontline.
Whether either party would be content with King holding such a status within the squad beyond this season remains to be seen, though it is clear to see the logic in Bent’s point of view.
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