Inside track on the Cats’ new signing from Everton

Sunderland have completed the signing of striker Ellis Simms on a season long-loan deal from Everton – but what can Black Cats supporters expect from him?

The 21-year-old has been loaned out to Blackpool and SPL side Hearts over the last two seasons.

Tofindoutmore,wecaught upwithToffeesreporterAdam Jones at the Liverpool Echo…

Was the plan always for Simms to leave on loan this season?

AJ: “It was always going to be an interesting situation for Simms this summer.

"Ontheonehand,youcould certainly see the argument that there might be opportunities for him to prove himself at Everton, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Salomon Rondon ahead of him in the pecking order.

“Ask a lot of Evertonians and they'd probably prefer the academy graduate over the latter of those two options, butthatseeminglyhasn'tbeen the case for Lampard and his staff. A loan move was always goingtobethebestwayforhim to pick up regular football.”

How is Simms viewed at Everton?

AJ: “Simms' rise through the academy levels at Everton was watched intently by pundits and fans alike. He was a goalscoring machine at under-18 level and managed to carry that on very effectively when he made his way into the under-23 set-up too.

“Because of those goalscoring exploits, and his performancesinloanspellsspanning previous seasons as well, he's been a highly-rated talent for some time within Finch Farm - and with supporters too.

“The striker signed a new three-year contract with the club last summer with the hope that he could break into the first team, although he hasn't managed that yet."

What's his best position and what are his biggest strengths?

AJ: “If you're playing Ellis Simms, you've got to use him through the middle as a centralstriker.There'snotwoways about it.

“He'sgotthephysicalattributestobeabletoplayinthatposition by himself, but also the technical ability to be able to hold the ball up very well and bring others into the play with cleverpassesinandaroundthe penalty area.

“And, the good news is that he'saverynaturalfinishertoo."