A loan move out of Everton is the only way forward for this promising 21-year-old starlet

Why Everton must loan out Jonjoe Kenny

It might have been an underwhelming 2017/18 season for Everton, but there were clearly some bright sparks amidst the slush. One of those was Jonjoe Kenny, who started Everton’s campaign as a rookie but was handed a fantastic opportunity to make a name for himself in the Premier League.

Seamus Coleman’s horrific injury sidelined him for almost the entirety of last season, which saw the likes of Kenny, Cuco Martina and Mason Holgate fight it out between themselves for a spot at right-back. Despite Martina and Holgate having more experience than him, Kenny claimed a place in the Royal Blues’ line-up.

Kenny had come into the season on the back of an impressive summer, helping England’s under-20s win the World Cup. The 21-year-old would have only dreamt of becoming such a central figure at Everton last season amidst all the mediocrity, but it happened. Due to Coleman’s injury, Kenny went onto play a major role in the first-team, appearing 20 times in all competitions last campaign.

But with Coleman returning from injury at the back end of last campaign, Kenny’s time at right-back was over. And now in the new season, although Martina has left for Stoke City on loan, Kenny’s chances in the first-team appears to be very limited.

With Coleman fit, the Irishman is Marco Silva’s first-choice right-back and he is expected to play every game this season. Holgate might have moved infield to play in his natural centre-back role following the suspension of Phil Jagielka and injury to Michael Keane, but the Doncaster-born 21-year-old can also operate at right-back.

There could have been serious hope for Kenny to become veteran Leighton Baines’ deputy at left-back this season, but after the arrival of Lucas Digne from Barcelona, the 21-year-old’s hopes have completely extinguished. It is very unlikely to see Kenny displace Coleman until the Irishman gets injured again. Having not appeared at all this campaign raises concerns over Kenny’s future.

The best way for Kenny to improve and continue his development is to get regular game time. Being Coleman’s back-up wouldn’t be a bad idea at all, but Silva clearly rates Holgate more. So there are very slim chances of Kenny getting a regular run of games under Silva this term and the best thing for him at the moment would be to leave Goodison Park on a short-term loan.

Read more: Enough is enough: Why it is time for Everton to offload this 20-year-old striker

If Kenny sees his future at Everton, he needs to leave the club now on loan. If the Toffees are serious about the youngster’s development, they shouldn’t stand in his way either.