As Josh Bowler weaved his way through Middlesbrough’s defence in September, one Blackpool supporter turned to Twitter and paid tribute to a performance that even ‘prime Messi’ would have been proud of.
Of course, comparisons between Blackpool’s number 11 with the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner were undoubtedly tongue in cheek.
But with Bowler controlling a long ball with a velvet first-touch, skipping past a Bristol City defender before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with the most impudent of left-footed finishes in a 3-1 victory over Bristol City on February 5th, it was difficult to dispel the notion that Blackpool may have found their answer to a certain the Barcelona legend.
No one is claiming that Bowler is about to go from Bloomfield Road to the Ballon D’Or. From Blackpool to Barca. But it’s hard to imagine that he’ll still be plying his trade against the Bristol Citys of the world when 2022/23 gets underway.
There’s a reason why Everton once paid over £4 million for a 17-year-old with just 21 minutes of first-team football under his belt.
There’s a reason why David Unsworth, Everton’s U23 coach, described the former QPR starlet as a ‘magical’ talent. There’s a reason why, when the Toffees decided against renewing Bowler’s contract last summer, Blackpool jumped at the chance to sign him on a free transfer.
Is Josh Bowler heading back to the Premier League?
As long as Bowler continues to channel his inner-Argentine – he scored his fourth goal in six games against QPR in midweek – the chances of Blackpool retaining his services for a second season will fall ever further.
The Seasiders managed to bat away interest from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest in January, when they were demanding just £1.5 million.
One suspects, with TEAMtalk reporting that Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Norwich and Brentford making moves of their own, Bowler’s price-tag is ripe for review.
The 22-year-old is currently due to become a free-agent in July but Blackpool have an option to extend his deal. An option they are guaranteed to take up.
Releasing Bowler is perhaps not the biggest – or most high-profile – mistake Everton have made in recent months. Rafa Benitez anyone?
But, if the Goodison Park reject returns to the Premier League just 12 months after being deemed not good enough for a side hovering just five points above the bottom, Everton will find themselves facing more awkward questions than ever.
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