Everton: Chris Long
The Huyton-born striker will view Everton’s pre-season as a second chance to showcase his first-team claims to the manager, Roberto Martínez, having impressed last summer only to find opportunities nonexistent once the Premier League campaign began. Long scored a fine goal against the Bundesliga newcomers Paderborn last August but senior outings for the 20-year-old were confined to a late substitute’s appearance in a Europa League dead-rubber against Krasnodar. He joined Brentford on loan in January where, despite injury interruptions, he scored four goals in 10 appearances as the Championship side reached the play-offs. A quick forward and composed finisher, Long has been with
Everton since the age of five and represented England from under-16 to under-20 level. With Martínez’s striking options currently limited to Romelu Lukaku and Arouna Koné, there is an opening for Long should he deliver.
AH