Ellis Simms was sold by Everton in the summer, and Paul Brown has insisted that he would develop into a “special” player. The Toffees will lose out on Simms’ quality because of Sean Dyche.
The former Daily Star journalist has claimed Dyche didn’t have the patience to allow the striker to grow and develop under his stewardship, which will see them miss out on Simms who has all the tools to grow and thrive away from Goodison Park.
If his claim is verified, the £8 million paid by Coventry to sign him will appear to be a steal for the buyers and a squandered opportunity for the Merseyside club [The Herald, 8 July].
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT on 5 October, Brown claimed: “I do think that, one day, Ellis Simms is going to be a special player. I think he’s got the potential to be much, much better than he is because he has got all the tools in his locker to improve greatly.
“It’s a shame, in a way, that Everton weren’t able to have the patience with him. But I don’t think he would have got many chances this season. I don’t really think that Sean Dyche was willing to be patient enough with him.
“I think they needed an upgrade in the position and they probably did the right thing. It’s just a shame because in two, three or four years’ time, I think Ellis Simms could still be a great player.”
To put it simply, Everton aren’t in a stable enough position to wait for a player to develop on the off chance that they might, one day, become better than anybody expected. It’s the harsh reality of football and the current state of the club, but the priority is immediate success.
Simms was given a chance at Goodison Park, as well. It’s not as if he sat in the reserves playing youth football while being constantly overlooked by those at the top. He played 11 Premier League games under Dyche and managed just one goal.
There’s no reason Simms couldn’t go on to improve his level, he’s certainly a capable striker at Championship level and has age on his side, but the club will not be to blame if he does go on to succeed.
