Everton’s choice to transfer was warranted given Tom Cannon’s ongoing medical issues.

Tom Cannon wasn’t much of a candidate to lead the Toffees to safety during the most of the summer transfer window as Everton looked for a new striker.

The 20-year-old was a target for what felt like half of the Championship before deciding to join Leicester City on deadline day for a sum of £7.5 million [Leicestershire Live, 2 September]. Youssef Chermiti and Beto joined the ranks at Goodison Park.

Some were disappointed he was allowed to leave Goodison Park permanently after making an impression for Preston North End in the second half of the 2022–23 season, scoring eight goals in 20 Championship outings and even making a cameo in the Toffees’ Premier League loss to Wolves.

The forward is still sidelined with a stress fracture, according to Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, so that decision appears to have been warranted.

 

According to BBC Sport (19 September), speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, he said: “We noticed a problem when he signed. He isn’t even training with us right now, so I assume it will take a while. How long remains a mystery. He attended none of our training sessions.

“Just because it’s a long-term investment doesn’t mean we don’t need him right now. However, we prefer to be cautious and perform all necessary checks.”

As the transfer window came to an end, Everton desperately needed cash due to their precarious financial circumstances, and selling Cannon provided them with that cash.

 

Due to his stress fracture, the 20-year-old would have been of no help to Sean Dyche’s team, and with Beto now at Goodison, it was more likely that he would have started just sometimes rather than every week.

 

Even while there is a good risk that the Toffees will come to regret their choice should Cannon start playing immediately upon his return to fitness at The King Power Stadium, for the time being it appears that Everton made a remarkably prudent financial choice.

 

At the end of the season, let’s hope the striker and Leicester City aren’t switching spots in the Premier League and Championship.