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Everton: Dean Ashton provides thoughts on Tom Cannon

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Image for Everton: Dean Ashton provides thoughts on Tom Cannon

EFL pundit Dean Ashton has provided his thoughts on Everton loanee Tom Cannon, who continues to impress for Preston North End this season.

What has Ashton said about Cannon?

Speaking on the 20-year-old’s success this season with the Championship club, former West Ham United striker Ashton said:

Yeah, almost a one in two, which at Championship level is incredible for such a young player – with such little experience. 

“But, he is looking more and more comfortable and confident. Another lovely finish to add to the others he has produced this season.”

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has a respectable seven goals and one assist in 14 starts this season in the Championship.

How has Cannon performed for Preston and how would he fit into Everton?

The Toffees’ disappointing season has been due to many factors, but their lack of scoring goals is a major contender for the most detrimental.

Due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-plagued 18 months and Neal Maupay failing to fit into the starting XI, Sean Dyche has turned to Demarai Gray and Ellis Simms to lead the attack. While this has brought some improvement, the Merseyside club have scored just 24 goals this Premier League campaign: no side has less.

If Everton do stay in the top division next season, utilising Cannon could solve their issues.

Despite Calvert-Lewin being likely to return before then, having the 20-year-old within the first-team squad offers a much better depth than their current roster.

Preston North End's Thomas Cannon celebrates scoring their third goal

The €3.5m-rated (£3m) striker has been a hit for the Lancashire club since his loan move began. Cannon has become a consistent performer for Ryan Lowe this season, accruing an average match rating of 6.98 in the Championship via WhoScored – Preston’s second-highest.

The Aintree-born forward’s clinical nature has shone through whilst in England’s second division. As per FBref, while on loan, Cannon has outperformed his expected goals by 2.9, as this falls at 4.1, despite the striker having scored seven times in 15 second-tier outings this season.

When compared to Maupay, who has made 21 appearances for the Toffees in the Premier League this season, he has just one goal from 3.8 expected goals – a big decrease.

The addition of Cannon into Everton’s first-team squad next season would be a deserved one for the 5 foot 10 attacker who has shone in the Championship this season. A rotated trio of the former Republic of Ireland U19 international, Calvert-Lewin and Simms should provide the Merseyside club with enough firepower to compete in the Premier League next year.

However, Dyche should still be on the lookout for any potential incomings in the attacking department.

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