With the move into their new stadium at the end of the season, Everton are looking to be busy in the transfer market ahead of the new era at the club.
Reports have suggested that the Toffees are looking to step up their interest in West Bromwich Albion winger Tom Fellows. The 21 year old is one of the Championship’s hottest prospects having impressed so far for the Baggies.
Everton boss David Moyes is likely to have a big say on the transfer dealings in the summer after the departure of the club’s director of football. Fellows is rumoured to be one of the players targeted by the club after a deal fell through for the winger in January.
Who is Tom Fellows?
Fellows is a product of the West Brom academy having signed for the club at under-10 level. The winger progressed through the ranks before making his professional debut for the Baggies in August 2021.
His first significant taste of first team football came during a loan spell in League Two with Crawley Town during the 2022-23 season. Since returning to West Brom, the 21 year old has made 76 appearances and made his England under 21 debut last year.
Fellows has been a key member of West Brom’s team in their pursuit of a playoff place this season. His performances have reportedly led to Everton step up the interest they had in the 21 year old earlier in the season.
What could Fellows bring to Everton?
So far this season, the 21 year old has made 37 appearances for the West Midlands side. He has the ability to create numerous chances for his teammates having totalled 11 assists so far.
According to fotmob, Fellows creates an average of 1.67 chances and completes 1.12 successful crosses per 90 minutes which shows the impact he can have from his right wing position. Coupled with this is Baggies attackers’ 1.4 shots on average per 90 minutes with a 58% shot accuracy.
As shown on fbref, the 21 year old has completed 5.03 progressive carries and 1.32 successful take-ons per 90 minutes. This shows Fellow’s ability to drive his side up the pitch and get the Baggies into attacking areas which could be useful in an Everton side likely to have less possession against the top sides in the Premier League.
His former manager, Carlos Corboran emphasised the ability and capabilities that Fellows has as a player:
“Nothing Tom Fellows does on the pitch is going to surprise me or surprise us because we know his quality as a footballer”
The youngster also carries out his defensive duties in his right wing position. This season, he has completed 0.84 clearances per 90 minutes on average and won 53.6% of tackles made. This attribute is likely to be required in greater value should he feature in the Premier League for Everton.
Is a move to Everton a good one for Fellows?
Fellows undoubtedly has the ability to provide a creative spark during a game. The question will be whether he can flourish and develop further in the Premier League.
Moyes has predominantly displayed a 4-2-3-1 formation since taking over the Premier League side at the beginning of the year. This system will suit Fellows as he will be able to play in his favoured position on the right wing.
Having made over 100 senior appearances at the age of 21, there is no doubt that he will have a lot of experience to build upon going forward in his career. If the move to Everton was to occur in the summer, being under the management of an experienced David Moyes should allow Fellows to develop even further.
With Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Harrison potentially returning to their parent clubs in the summer an opportunity may open up for the 21 year old to play a part in Everton’s Premier League campaign next season.
With age on his side and the ability he has shown already, it could be a smart bit of business from Everton to bring Fellows in as he may provide the pivotal moment in tight games next season.