Forget Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier, Everton should give Callum Connolly a chance

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Teenage right-back Callum Connolly has turned heads on loan at Wigan Athletic – and may be a better long-term buy for Everton than Kieran Trippier.

The horrific broken leg suffered by Seamus Coleman on international duty with Republic of Ireland means Everton are almost certain to make signing a new right-back their top priority in the summer.

And, according to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur understudy Kieran Trippier is at the top of their wishlist. Valued at £12 million, the former Burnley full-back would appear to be a superb addition on paper.

Blessed with superb crossing ability and the energy to bomb up and down the flank for 90 minutes, only the superb form of Kyle Walker is preventing Trippier from playing a major role in Tottenham’s bid to secure Champions League qualification.

However, barring any complications, Coleman is likely to revert to being Everton’s first choice right-back at the end of 2017. Therefore, Trippier, who has started just eight Premier League games in two years, will surely find himself glued to the bench once more.

Therefore, Everton should perhaps take a chance on young Callum Connolly instead. Manager Ronald Koeman has given opportunities to the likes of Tom Davies, Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin this season and the Liverpool-born right-back should perhaps be next in line.

The 19-year-old has only played once for Everton in the top flight, replacing Coleman in the second half against Southampton in April 2016, but his form on loan at a struggling Wigan Athletic suggests he’s worth another opportunity.

Connolly has only been on the winning side four times in 14 games since joining the seemingly doomed Latics in January but his powerful bursts down the flank and composure in possession are reminiscent of Coleman himself.

He even scored twice on his debut before giving Luke Shaw a headache in Wigan’s FA Cup fourth-round loss to Manchester United.

Therefore, if Everton are in need of a short-term solution, giving the homegrown teenager a chance makes more sense long-term than paying £12 million for Trippier.