At the Club's AGM it became clear that the prospect of young Everton stars arriving at Sincil Bank on long-term loans was very much in the offing. At the meeting, Imps manager Alan Buckley confirmed that, “We have already met and discussed one or two players but Walter (Smith) knows we won't be taking just anybody. They have to be my type of player.”
Nick Chadwick fits the bill perfectly – in terms of what Buckley is looking for to bolster his ranks. Chadwick is a hard-working centre-forward who has an instinctive eye for goal. Buckley requires another striker as part of his depleted squad, which lacks a number of options up front. Lee Thorpe, Dave Cameron and the surplus Tony Battersby are the only options available to the gaffer.
Chadwick, 22, is a regular goal scorer in the Blues' reserve side and has a creditable record of 6 goals in 10 appearances. In comparison with the well-known forward Danny Cadamarteri, Chadwick comes out on top. Cadamarteri's stats show only 3 goals in 9 appearances for the reserves.
It seems Chadwick has lacked first team action - The young centre-forward's only taste of first team football to date has been as a late, late substitute - He appeared in extra-time during the Worthington Cup game against Crystal Palace earlier this season, in the 90th minute at Sunderland, then for a full seven minutes in the return against the Wearsider's at Goodison Park.
Chadwick has admitted in the past that he still has much to learn and that he simply craves more of the first team scene.
When Buckley makes reference to discussing “one or two players”, Planet Imp believes that Nick Chadwick is among those players being considered by LCFC. Chadwick would certainly prove to be the most interesting signing; as he is the most exciting youth player the Blues have available to offer.
Planet Imp has reason to believe that defender, Peter Clarke, and possibly Under 17's midfielder Scott Brown are being considered by the club. All three players have been touted as exciting prospects for the future.
Editor of Everton MAD (www.evertonmad.co.uk), Austin Rathe, told us, “Everton are notoriously reluctant to give young players first team spots so loan deals are often used to get them some first team experience.”
We are expecting to see some interesting new developments in the coming weeks. Could be tomorrow, could be next week. Planet Imp will have more details when they arrive. Until then, things are looking up.