Whelan doubts that Kean can become prolific forward for Everton

Former Coventry striker Noel Whelan claims that he has been left unimpressed by Moise Kean this season, talking to Football Insider.

The Italy international has struggled to settle at Goodison Park since signing for the Toffees from Juventus for £27million in the summer, having scored just once in 22 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

The 19-year old got off the mark against Newcastle last week, and with Richarlison now back from injury, the young forward could find himself back on the bench.

While Whelan has accepted that Kean will need time to become acclimatised to a near country and a new was of playing football, he has also cast doubt over whether he has the potential to ever become a prolific striker on Merseyside.

When asked whether he believes Kean can kick-on following his debut, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Whelan said:

I have got to say I am very undecided with the player. I expected more from him when he signed. He has not hit the ground running at Everton.

I have always questioned whether he is going to get you 20 goals a season, but he needs time to settle into new life. He is very young; he has got time.

Right now he is not going to be getting you 20. He needs to learn the English game and probably some more time to settle in. He would not be my first-choice striker, put it that way.

Read Everton Verdict

Moise Kean has undoubtedly struggled to match the speed and the intensity of the Premier League at times this season, and it won’t be surprising to anyone that some will feel as though their expectations have not been met. However, I think it is a little early to begin doubting Kean’s viability as a long-term clinical goalscorer.

In a different yet similar situation, Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Everton from Sheffield United at a similar age, scoring just once in 11 appearances during his first season at Goodison Park (Transfermarkt). While he didn’t cost nearly as much as Kean, or come from a background of having played top class football beforehand, he still had to adjust to a different level and style with pressure mounting on him every time he failed to get off the mark.

Now, Calvert-Lewin is one of Everton’s more reliable players this season, having scored ten times in 22 Premier League appearances (Transfermarkt). He needed time to develop and to adjust, and that is what Moise Kean needs, as well as some much coveted self-belief.

Kean isn’t currently first choice at Goodison Park, and he’ll remain behind Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for the time being. However, in time, there is no reason to believe that Kean can’t prove himself worthy of being a regular starter.