Everton signed the young Nigerian in the summer but cannot use him this season.
When Everton signed Henry Onyekuru from Eupen in the summer, it was hailed as a brilliant piece of business by those who had seen the then-teenager score 24 goals and provide nine assists in 41 matches.
Unfortunately for the Toffees, work permit issues meant the Nigerian needed to spend a season out on loan, with Anderlecht the grateful beneficiaries. But watching his performance in the Champions League against Celtic on Wednesday evening, it seems his enforced temporary stint elsewhere will be crucial to his development.
Onyekuru is very much a work in progress – a fact that was evident when Celtic tore his current side apart this week.
Had he been at Everton this season, the pressure to perform consistently, replicating his best form from the Belgian league, would have been unbearable given the Toffees’ early-season struggles.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman is yet to replace Romelu Lukaku and Onyekuru is not yet the answer to that particular conundrum.
Yet a season playing Champions League football, continuing to learn his trade in an arena where his mistakes will not be so closely scrutinised and developing his confidence in the process should ensure that when he finally arrives at Goodison Park, he will be ready to thrive.
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