New Everton manager Marco Silva has labeled Ademola Lookman as being “the present and future” of the club, as reported by The Independent.

These comments appear to indicate that the young English attacker will be staying put at Goodison Park this season. However, according to the Mirror, RB Leipzig remain keen on cutting a deal for the 20-year-old.

Lookman spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga club and impressed a great deal during his time in Germany. 5 goals and 4 assists from 11 top flight outings for Leipzig is a very solid return from such a young winger. 

The England under-21 international now faces a crossroads in his career. On the one hand, he could opt to force through a return to Leipzig, where he’d likely find regular football easier to come by than he would on Merseyside. However, he’d be removing himself from the spotlight of the Premier League.

Or, he can choose to stick with the Toffees and fight for his place in Silva’s side. If Lookman can battle his way into the team and make himself a success in the English top flight, then he’d receive plenty of plaudits and make himself the centre of attention when it comes to national team selection.

However, he doesn’t a face a clear route to the first team at Goodison Park. Everton have spent big on their flanks in recent transfer windows, with the likes of Theo Walcott, Richarlison and Bernard all having arrived within the last twelve months.

If Lookman can’t battle his way into the starting XI then he faces a season sitting on the bench or turning out for the Toffees’ reserve side. At this stage in his career, considering the level of form he is currently in, Lookman can’t afford a campaign spent upon the fringes of a team.

The early signs indicate that Lookman isn’t knocking too hard on the door of the Everton first team. He has been included in the squad for two of Everton’s three games so far, but is yet to take to the turf from the bench. Whereas, if he moved to Leipzig now, it is hard to believe that he wouldn’t slot straight into their starting XI.

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A strong season in the Bundesliga would surely be enough to put Lookman into the frame for the senior England team. The youngster’s pace, directness and supreme dribbling ability could prove to be a real asset to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions side. 

Unlike so many exciting talents of his age, Lookman also already has end product in his game. His stats from his previous stint with Leipzig are indicative of this. He must keep playing regularly at a high level to maintain the sharpness of his finishing instincts though, and to ensure that his confidence in front of goal is allowed no opportunity to desert him. 

Whilst a return to the German club would suit Lookman, Everton should fight to avoid having to let him go permanently. Either a loan deal or a buy-back option inserted into a transfer would be preferable for the Merseyside outfit. The Wandsworth-born attacker is too great a talent to lose without having first been given a fair chance to stake a claim for a first team place. 

Next season, Lookman may well be ready to make a spot in Silva’s plans his own. Until then he must play regular football, no matter how far that road may take him from home. 

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