Everton youngster Ademola Lookman has stated his belief that outcast Oumar Niasse could make a spectacular return to the Toffees’ first team plans.
Niasse was told last season by manager Ronald Koeman that he was not in his plans at Goodison Park and following the striker’s loan spell at Hull City during the season half of the campaign, the Toffees had attempted to offload the player throughout the summer but failed to do so.
Since the end of the transfer window, Niasse has been featuring for the Everton Under-23 side and has put in impressive performances for the reserves. His recent two goal haul against the Tottenham U-23 side has caught many people’s attention and the Senegalese forward has now been tipped to be reintegrated into the first team at Everton soon.
The 27-year-old was even praised by Koeman in a recent interview, where the Dutch tactician hailed the forward’s attitude and discussed the possibility of him making a return to the first team as an “extra option”.
Everton sold star Romelu Lukaku earlier this season to Manchester United and in an attempt to replace the Belgian, the Merseyside outfit signed their prodigal son, Wayne Rooney, as well as Sandro Ramirez from Malaga.
However, the veteran forward as well as the young striker have failed to bring the threat in front of goal that Lukaku used to provide to the Everton team and as a result, Niasse has been brought into the discussion as an alternative option by Koeman.
Encouraging performances for the reserves in recent times have helped Niasse’s cause and he has now received support from team-mate Ademola Lookman, who is happy to see the outcast being brought back into the fold.
Lookman told the ECHO: “It was nice for Oumar to get a couple of goals. He’s a hard worker and he got his reward.
“I don’t really know what he’s like with the Under-23s all the time because I’m not really around the group but from what I’ve seen he talks to the younger lads quite a lot and gives them information and is a good person to have around.
“If he keeps scoring goals and producing the goods then I think he’ll definitely get his chance.”
Niasse will undoubtedly be looking forward to make an impact upon his return to the first team after being ostracized for such a long time.
Despite splashing cash this summer, Everton have failed to get the desired results on the pitch and profligate finishing is one of the main reasons for their shortcomings.
Should Niasse be able to translate his form for the reserves into the first team, the Merseyside club can finally get the positive results on the board and kick-start their stuttering campaign.
