Jake Evans, the 17-year-old winger loaned from Leicester City, is expected to feature in Cheltenham Town’s squad for the first time this Saturday. Steve Cotterill’s side will begin their League Two campaign at home against Rotherham United, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
Evans has already experienced top-flight football, having made his Premier League debut with Leicester City. Last season, he had a productive spell on loan at Northampton Town in League One, where he scored two goals.
Josh Holland, reporter for the Leicester Mercury focusing on the Foxes, has closely followed Evans’s development. He believes the winger’s loan move to Whaddon Road offers an excellent chance for him to grow and gain valuable experience.
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How highly-rated is Jake Evans at Leicester City?
Evans is regarded very highly within Leicester City. He was one of the most promising talents in both the Under-18s and Under-21s squads a couple of years ago, especially noted for his goal-scoring at youth level. Ruud van Nistelrooy, during his time at the club, was impressed with Evans and awarded him his senior Premier League debut.
However, last season under Marti Cifuentes, Evans found first-team opportunities limited, with the manager preferring Jordan Ayew. Josh Holland believes this lack of playing time was unfortunate for the youngster. His loan spell at Northampton met Leicester’s expectations, where he demonstrated his ability by netting twice in League One.
During pre-season, Evans encountered some challenges adapting to Russell Martin’s tactical requirements, leading to mixed performances. Nevertheless, at only 17, there is ample time for him to develop into a key player at Leicester.
Was a loan move to a League Two club expected this season?
Initially, a League Two loan was not anticipated at the start of pre-season, as the squad composition was unclear then. With Will Alves impressing on the right wing and the arrival of Wes Burns, first-team opportunities for Evans became limited. Consequently, a loan move is seen as the best way for him to gain consistent playing time. League Two offers a platform for regular football, contrasting with his intermittent appearances at Northampton.
How has he performed in pre-season?
During pre-season, Evans played up front against Cadiz in Spain but struggled with the physicality of that role. His strengths lie in exploiting space rather than dropping deep with the ball. When deployed on the right wing against Genoa, he performed much better, frequently beating his defender and coming close to scoring.
What type of winger is Jake Evans?
Evans is a direct and skilful winger who likes to cut inside from the right. He is strong with his left foot and, having also played as a striker at academy level, understands the importance of making forward runs. Given his limited time on the pitch for Leicester’s senior team, observations on his style are still developing.
Was his loan at Northampton Town deemed a success?
Yes, it was considered a positive experience. Evans scored two goals, including one against Cardiff City, and earned multiple player of the match awards. The good relationship between Leicester City and Northampton Town made the loan mutually beneficial and suitable for his development.