Clinton Morrison has warned of the 'big gap' between Championship and Premier League quality after Everton's decision to recall Ellis Simms.
The Toffees made the decision to cut short Simms' season-long loan at Sunderland earlier today, with the 21-year-old officially returning to Merseyside at the turn of the year. In his five month spell at the Stadium of Light, the striker scored seven goals in 17 matches and acclimatised himself to regular senior football.
Those seven goals are more than double any Everton player's league tally, with Anthony Gordon top-scoring on three strikes. And it is for that reason, and the tight financial constraints keeping the club from spending big in January, that persuaded Frank Lampard to recall his young loanee six months early - a decision that former Crystal Palace striker Morrison couldn't believe.
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“That’s the big call: Championship to the Prem,” Morrison told Sky Sports News. “Let me tell you something, you see League One to the Championship, it’s not a big gap. [The] Championship to the Premier League is a big gap, especially for centre-forwards.
“I think Simms has been outstanding. When I saw that news, I just went ‘I can’t believe it’ because he was flying for Sunderland. I thought Sunderland would maybe have an opportunity to finish in the top six [of the Championship] with him and Ross Stewart.
“I think [Lampard] had to do it. And that just goes to show that come January, there’s no money there for him to spend. I thought Everton would go out and buy a centre-forward. It hasn’t worked out with Neal Maupay as yet and Calvert-Lewin, he just can’t get fit.”
Speaking ahead of Everton's trip to Manchester City, Lampard admitted his scouting team had identified 'lots of players' ahead of the January window opening next week, but the freedom with which he has to spend remains to be seen. The Blues are thought to be working on securing loan deals for the remainder of the season, with Salomon Rondon's contract terminated in order to free up a portion of the wage bill.
Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga is the latest to join a long and detailed list of targets, although any signings are not expected to be imminent.
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