Everton’s pursuit of Tom Pearce shows lack of confidence in Antonee Robinson

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It seems as though change is afoot in the left-back position at Everton. Leighton Baines could be ending his 11-year stay at Goodison Park and Luke Garbutt is also set to leave the club. Everton were already low in the left-back position, so new signings need to be made.

One player who has been linked with a move to Everton is Leeds United youngster Tom Pearce. The 20-year-old is out of contract at Leeds and Everton are hopeful of convincing the Ormskirk-born talent to head back to Merseyside. He spent his youth in the Everton academy, before leaving for Leeds in 2014.

Pearce has performed well for Leeds since entering the first-team and it appears Everton are ready to bring him home.

But the pursuit of Pearce must surely not sit well with one of their current talents. Antonee Robinson looks like being a potential future star for Everton if given the right opportunity.

This season has been something of a breakout for the 20-year-old. He played 34 times for Bolton Wanderers during a loan spell this season. His form was so impressive that he even received a national team call-up. He was in the United States national team squad for the March fixture with Panama but did not receive his first cap for his country.

But the pursuit of Pearce certainly sends out the wrong message to Robinson. Both players are the same age, play in the exact same position and had breakout years in the Championship last term.

Everton however, instead of giving Robinson a chance in the first-team next season, were prepared to replace him with an identical player.

Robinson may need another season out on loan to eventually go on and become a regular for Everton. But bringing in someone who would, effectively, replace him makes little sense.

It is hardly a strong tactic toward building up the confidence of one of your young talents.

Robinson should be getting the chance to show what he can offer before Everton bring in another player and push him down the pecking order.