Henry Onyekuru has had a season he’ll never forget, for a variety of reasons.
Signed by Everton last summer from Eupen, Onyekuru was loaned to Anderlecht with the plan being he’d have a great season, go to the World Cup, and then arrive at Goodison Park with his shiny new work permit.
It all looked to be going to plan, although impatience from Onyekuru had set in. The player openly talked about moving to Everton early, in the January transfer window, but that didn’t seem like a real possibility.
Then disaster struck in the form of a knee injury. Anderlecht were absolutely adamant the player needed surgery, even publishing a statement to back up their medical staff and imply everyone else would be proven wrong in the end.
Onyekuru was set against surgery, knowing it could kill his World Cup dream, and Everton sided with the player.
Now, Anderlecht may happily eat their words.
Onyekuru thinks he’ll be able to play soon and help Anderlecht win the Belgium title through the country’s play-off system, after that is the World Cup dream with Nigeria.
The 20 year old couldn’t really be doing more to get his Everton dream. He’s gone against some medical advice to get back this season and hopefully get himself to Russia, and then help ease through a work permit.
If it doesn’t come off, Everton are going to have a very disappointed player on their hands and will have to either exhaust every appeals route, or find another loan destination for next season.
