Everton have been told what they can expect to see from Tyrique George after he joined the club on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day
Tyrique George after he joined Everton
Tyrique George after he joined Everton(Image: (Tony McArdle/Everton FC))
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Everton completed a last-gasp deadline-day move for Tyrique George. Once news broke that Jack Grealish was facing an extended spell on the sidelines, it became clear that the Blues were working to bring in reinforcements.
And Everton eventually swooped to secure the services of 19-year-old George, who joins on loan until the end of the season with the option to make the move permanent in the summer. George had been close to leaving Chelsea in the summer, only for a switch to Fulham to collapse on deadline day.
However, there were no such problems this time around, although a deal sheet was required to get the transfer over the line.
And while many view the England Under-21 international as a direct replacement for Grealish, one former Everton star believes George has all the attributes required to develop into a traditional No.9.
Lee Carsley knows George well, given the time they have spent together with England U21s, and speaking last year, he said: "He’s got the profile and attributes to develop into a traditional No.9.
“A lot of that development, I would imagine, will go on at Chelsea. He’s fast. He scores goals. He’s creative. He’s got good technique.”
And it isn’t just England U21s head coach Carsley who believes George has what it takes to play up top, as his father, Bola, told The Athletic last year: “Tyrique likes to score, and playing as a striker is an opportunity to get on the pitch.
Tyrique George and Lee Carsley after England U21s beat Republic of Ireland in November
Tyrique George and Lee Carsley after England U21s beat Republic of Ireland in November(Image: (Nathan Stirk - The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
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“He is very comfortable playing as a No. 10, so being central comes naturally to him. If you look at the three goals he has scored from outside of the box, they have all been central – Fulham, ES Tunis (at the Club World Cup) and Lincoln. He is comfortable shooting from there, always has been.
“He is not a hardened striker; he is not like Marc Guiu, a press monster. But if it drops, there is a good chance he will hit the target.”
The England youth international has made just 11 appearances in all competitions so far this season, but former Blues defender Alan Stubbs believes George can offer a much-needed injection of pace.
"Tyrique George is talented,” he told Radio Merseyside. “We probably haven't seen a huge amount of him. But when he has played, you've seen glimpses of real quality.
“One thing Everton are crying out for is real pace. He obviously ticks that box. I think we're still looking at a player that potentially is showing a huge amount of ability but hasn't done it on a regular basis.
“Coming to Everton, it might be the platform for him. It's hard to nail a place down at Chelsea with the 179 players they have registered on the books."