Everton teenager Ademola Lookman backs former outcast Oumar Niasse to come up trumps for the Toffees after recall to first-team squad

  • Oumar Niasse signed for Everton from Spartak Moscow for £13.5million in 2016
  • The 27-year-old was told he could leave this summer by Ronald Koeman
  • Niasse has spent the season playing for the under 23 and scored on Sunday
  • Koeman has since recalled the striker having failed to replace Romelu Lukaku
  • Ademola Lookman believes he will get his chance if he keeps scoring

Everton youngster Ademola Lookman has backed team-mate and former Goodison Park outcast Oumar Niasse to make a spectacular recovery to the first-team.

Niasse, who was told by manager Ronald Koeman last summer that he was free to leave the club having failed to live up to his £13.5million price tag, has since been reconsidered by the Dutchman following the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, Sportsmail reported. 

The 27-year-old featured in just seven matches for the first-team before being dropped by Koeman and has been making a living in the under 23 side following a loan spell at last season's Premier League casualties Hull but came close to joining fellow Premier League stragglers Crystal Palace, who are win-less and goalless so far this term.

Everton Youngster Ademola Lookman has backed Oumar Niasse to shine after first-team recall

Everton Youngster Ademola Lookman has backed Oumar Niasse to shine after first-team recall

Niasse was signed by the Toffees in 2016 from Spartak Moscow for £13.5million

Niasse was signed by the Toffees in 2016 from Spartak Moscow for £13.5million

Niasse netted twice for the U23 side in a 4-1 demolition of Tottenham – just 24 hours after the North London had inflicted similar damage on Koeman's senior team at Goodison.


After the result, The Liverpool Echo reported team-mate Ademola Lookman backing the Senegal striker to make a dramatic recovery after falling out of favour with his employers.

'It was nice for Oumar to get a couple of goals,' he said. 'He's a hard worker and he got his reward.

'I don't really know what he's like with the Under 23 all the time because I'm not really around the group but from what I've seen he talks to the younger lads quite a lot and gives them information and is a good person to have around.

'If he keeps scoring goals and producing the goods then I think he'll definitely get his chance.'

The Senegal striker has played just seven times for the Everton first-team but after the sale of Romelu Lukaku - and lack or replacements available - Ronald Koeman has recalled Niasse

The Senegal striker has played just seven times for the Everton first-team but after the sale of Romelu Lukaku - and lack or replacements available - Ronald Koeman has recalled Niasse

And Lookman believes Niasse can be hit at the Merseyside club if given the chance

And Lookman believes Niasse can be hit at the Merseyside club if given the chance

Lookman is also in the running to become an eventual replacement for Lukaku with nine Premier League appearances for the Toffees.

But the 19-year-old was also reduced to the under 23 squad on Sunday and joined Niasse on the scoresheet with a cracker of his own.

'I just came inside on my left foot, took a shot and it managed to go in so I was delighted,' he said after bending one in from 20 yards out. 'There's definitely a great sense of satisfaction from goals like that, especially with the way the game was going and how they had just equalised to make it 1-1. To put the team back in front was a good feeling.'

Goals is definitely what Koeman's team are missing – an inevitable result of Lukaku's departure, who scored 25 Premier League goals last season, and the Dutch manager sought after a solution through Sandro Ramirez – one of nine incoming players totalling almost £150million - but just four games in and Koeman's team have just two goals to show for the ludicrous sums spent.

Two goals, one and draw to their names says all you need to know. Everton are clearly in need of another option.

Niasse Premier League figures

Appearances: 22 (17 on loan at Hull)

Goals: 4

Assists: 1

Red - Yellow cards: 1-3 

Advertisement

More options and competition is welcomed by Lookman, who scored his first and only goal for the senior team on his debut against Manchester City last season.

'I very much still see myself as part of the first team and being a young player who is learning,' he added. 

'I'll get more opportunities if I keep working hard and hopefully I can take my chances.

'There's lots of competition for places now but competition is always good because it brings out the best in you as a player so if I keep working hard I don't see why I can't progress.'