Blackpool signing Ellis Simms says: I can improve with Neil Critchley

The 20-year-old joined on loan from Everton yesterday in a deal that will run until the end of the season.

The striker, who has a prolific record at youth level with the Toffees, could make his Blackpool debut at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Simms said: “I’m delighted to make the move and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“I’ve known for quite a while now that Blackpool were interested and as soon as I found out I thought, ‘This is the place where I can improve my game.’

“I just want to step up to this stage and show what I can do.

“This is the next step for me in my career to get men’s football and playing for points, so I’m sure this will be good for me to test myself against good opposition and hopefully I can do well.

“Neil Critchley is a great boss. He’s been an Under-23 coach, so he knows what it’s like to move up from that level to the first team.

“Hopefully he can help me a lot and help me settle in.”

The striker, who played against Blackpool in pre-season, is one of the leading goalscorers in Under-23s football this season, hitting eight goals in 12 games for the Toffees.

On the books at Goodison Park since the age of 16, Simms has been prolific throughout his time on Merseyside.

The striker scored eight goals in 15 league games during the 2019/20 campaign.

He also hit an incredible 32 goals in 21 league matches for Everton’s Under-18s in 2018/19, which took his overall tally to 46 in all competitions that season.

Simms has yet to make his senior debut for the Toffees.

However, he was named among Carlo Ancelotti’s substitutes for this month’s FA Cup win against Rotherham United.

He was also named in Everton’s senior squad for the Premier League fixture against Sheffield United last July.

“I’m a big, powerful striker,” Simms added. “I love to run in behind but I can also hold the ball up as well and finish, which is the main part of my game. Hopefully I can score some goals for Blackpool.”

Simms’ arrival will help boost Blackpool’s frontline during a campaign in which they have struggled for goals, scoring 21 in 21 league games.

Prior to Simms’ arrival, the Seasiders had only two recognised number nines on their books in Jerry Yates and Gary Madine.

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