Much of Everton's summer transfer window was reportedly focused on bringing in a new striker for Frank Lampard's side, as the former Chelsea boss struggles to cope in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison after his move to Tottenham Hotspur.

While the Toffees brought in Neal Maupay from Brighton, Lampard may be able to unearth another player as talismanic as Calvert-Lewin in academy star Tom Cannon.

Cannon has been with Everton since he was 10 and recently signed a new three-year deal at Goodison Park after showing some lethal form at Finch Farm with the youth sides in recent seasons.

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After hitting 29 goals in 42 appearances for the U'18s, the 19-year-old is now with the U'21s, where he has 15 goals in 44 appearances, including four in four Premier League 2 games so far this season.

When he signed his new deal, Kevin Thelwell was full of praise for Cannon, saying:

"I am so pleased Tom has committed his future to Everton. He is a very talented young striker. He has an excellent work ethic and has proven his ability to score goals at every level he has played at.

"We have a specific development plan in place for Tom and I am looking forward to seeing him continue to progress."

With Calvert-Lewin still sidelined through injury and Cannon in such inspired form, perhaps it won't be too long until we see the teenage forward make his senior debut for the Toffees.

He could potentially emulate Calvert-Lewin, who joined as a teenage forward from Sheffield United in 2016, and has gone on to make 191 appearances for the Merseyside club, contributing 58 goals.

After an injury-hit 2021/22 campaign, Everton fans will be hoping that the England international can rediscover the form that saw him hit 16 goals in the 2020/21 season and help them stay well clear of relegation this season.

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If he continues to struggle and Maupay doesn't produce, then Lampard could well call on Cannon, who looks to have a huge amount of potential and a real knack for goals.

With enough patience and opportunities, there seems no reason why Cannon can't go on to establish himself as a Premier League proven striker in the same manner that Calvert-Lewin has since joining the club six years ago.