Report: Everton set to sign 26-year-old who Frank Lampard said is ‘one of the best’ Premier League wingers
Everton are now set to complete the signing of midfielder Jack Harrison on a season-long loan from Championship side Leeds United.
The 26-year-old, who Frank Lampard once claimed is ‘one of the best’ wingers in the Premier League, has been linked with the Blues throughout the summer, and Sean Dyche’s side has now triggered a clause that will allow the midfielder to move on loan.
A permanent move is then likely in due course, as per reports in The Athletic, as the Toffees look set to conclude what was a tense transfer tussle for the Leeds United star.
Harrison had a medical at Finch Farm on Sunday, though interest from Aston Villa almost saw Everton lose out on the deal at the eleventh hour.
However, Unai Emery’s side had concerns regarding Harrison’s ongoing hip injury, which will see him miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Indeed, the 26-year-old may be unavailable to Sean Dyche until September, but when fit, the Toffees will have an excellent addition to the squad.
Everton desperately need creative minds like Jack Harrison coming in
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon as Fulham returned to Craven Cottage with all three points from the opening game of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The game once again highlighted Everton’s desperate need to add goals this summer, with countless chances squandered over the course of 90 minutes.
Jack Harrison scored five goals and contributed seven Premier League assists in 36 games for Leeds United last season.
ndeed, with 12 goal involvements, Harrison would have been Everton’s most creative player last season, with that accomplishment going to Dwight McNeil, who scored seven goals, while contributing three assists.
With this in mind, Harrison could be a superb addition to Everton’s squad this summer, and while the need for a new centre-forward remains evident, adding goals and creativity from midfield is a must.
He may be injured for some weeks yet, but Jack Harrison cannot get fit quick enough for the Toffees.
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A Stark Reminder: Everton, Maupay, and Social Media’s Dark Side
The shameful vitriol faced by players in the wake of a game is nothing new in football, but the hatred directed at Everton striker Neal Maupay after the 1-0 loss to Fulham at Goodison Park has been particularly reprehensible. Everton have condemned this onslaught, standing firmly against the behaviour aimed at their player.
“This is what I get for not scoring. No one should ever deal with this,” Maupay wrote, sharing a screenshot of the abuse on Instagram.
“We stand firmly against such behaviour and are investigating the accounts that have targeted Neal,” declared Everton, illuminating a much-needed path towards responsibility and action.
Fulham’s Support and a Call to Action
In an encouraging show of solidarity, visitors Fulham joined in support, affirming, “We stand with Neal Maupay and support Everton’s message to report, condemn and highlight such abuse.”
Everton’s firm statement continued, “Everton Football Club condemns all forms of personal abuse directed towards our players and their families or any club staff on social media. We encourage anyone using these platforms to report, condemn and highlight any such abuse to the social media platforms on which it appears. Discrimination and hate has no place in our game.”
Team Morale and Future Promise
In spite of the bitter defeat, the camaraderie within the team resonates, with Idrissa Gueye posting a heartfelt message to Maupay, “We win together and lose together. We all know the hard worker that you are.”
Reflecting on Maupay’s performance, Dyche told BBC Sport, “I want all players to get in the right areas and Neal did. You have to keep getting there to score goals. Eventually, if you create that many chances and keep doing it relentlessly, you will score goals and win games. That is what I have learned in my life in football.”
Maupay himself was disappointed yet determined, stating, “Gutted about the result today, we tried our best it wasn’t enough.”
The incident involving Everton and Maupay’s social media abuse reveals the darker side of the sport, calling for greater vigilance and a united stand against online malice.
