Anthony Gordon had a mixed loan spell at Preston North End earlier this year, but he has seemingly made an impression on Everton boss Rafael Benitez.
PNE pounced to sign Gordon on deadline day in February, securing an impressive loan deal.
Gordon had been tipped for big things at Everton, so getting him to Deepdale for a few months was seen as a coup.
Ironically, Everton only let Gordon go to North End after they had signed former PNE attacker Josh King.
Gordon endured mixed spell with PNE
It’s hard to analyse Gordon’s loan spell at North End.
He was quick, direct and tricky. Whenever Gordon got the ball, he looked a threat.
Sadly, the end product didn’t always match the approach play.
When Alex Neil was sacked and Frankie McAvoy took over, he moved to a 3-4-1-2 system.
That didn’t fit winger Gordon, who returned to Everton with no chance of a loan extension at Deepdale.
Gordon now involved at Everton
Everton no doubt had other loan offers for Gordon this summer, but they chose to keep him.
On Saturday, Gordon came on for a 15-minute cameo against Norwich – having played 18 minutes against Aston Villa last weekend.
Gordon also impressed in a Carabao Cup start against Queens Park Rangers in midweek, with Rafael Benitez seemingly a fan.
The 20-year-old struggled to make an impact at PNE, but we could now see him feature regularly as a substitute for Everton as he gets back on track.