Before the 2018/19 campaign began, Everton welcomed Kurt Zouma to Goodison Park from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal.
The France international would compete with Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Phil Jagielka for a spot in Marco Silva’s XI. However, he did much more than just compete – he shone.
Zouma performed so well that Marcel Brands and Silva made him one of their top transfer priorities following Andre Gomes’ arrival.
However, Frank Lampard blocked any potential exit for the ex-Saint Etienne prodigy, instead handing him 25 Premier League starts last term.
Why are we revisiting such hurtful times, you may ask. Well, according to ESPN, another bright, young Chelsea centre-back in Fikayo Tomori may be arriving at Goodison Park on a season-long loan, like Zouma’s deal two summers ago.
Cause for excitement, right? The 22-year-old started 15 league games last term, earning a maiden England cap for his efforts. It remains his only appearance for the national team.
Everton will be getting a solid, vibrant option, but there should be room for caution and potential heartbreak once again.
Should he do as well as his potential suggests he could, the Goodison Park faithful could suffer a bit of déjà vu further down the line. Tomori has plenty of scope to nail down a place under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Toffees conceded 56 goals last term – the eighth-most in the league – while Michael Keane and Yerry Mina haven’t exactly set Merseyside alight since arriving in pricey deals.
For Everton, the danger is this. The Toffees risk falling in love with another loanee, before watching the same parent club potentially block any chances of a permanent deal.
Tomori will no doubt offer a solid option for the 2019/20 campaign, but when that summer transfer window rolls around, heartbreak could be on the horizon once again.
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