Everton may be watching Chesterfield developments with some concern: View | OneFootball

Loanee Jenson Metcalfe has impressed in limited minutes for Chesterfield this season, but a new signing could further limit the youngsters' game time.

Chesterfield utilised the loan market to great effect in the summer, bringing in five youngsters from higher up the English pyramid, with multiple men playing key roles in the Spireites’ start to life in League Two.

Several recruits have struggled for regular game time though and parent club Everton may be concerned with the minutes young midfielder Jenson Metcalfe has received, especially given Chesterfield’s recent acquisition of John Fleck in his position.

Metcalfe joined the Spireites on deadline day having been on the bench for the Toffees in Premier League games against Brighton and Tottenham while starting in Everton U21s’ EFL Trophy victory over Tranmere, where he provided an assist for £25m man Beto.

Metcalfe, who is under contract at Goodison Park until 2026, will be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Everton loanee Harry Tyrer, who made 42 appearances in Chesterfield’s National League title win last season.

The 20-year-old came off the bench to make his Chesterfield debut against Gillingham and played the last 20 minutes against Grimsby but another fresh face through the door potentially places Metcalfe further down the pecking order.

The signing of John Fleck creates further competition for places in the Chesterfield midfield.

Although the EFL transfer is now closed, clubs are still able to sign free agents, and Town completed the coup of former Premier League midfielder Fleck on a deal until the end of the season.

The Sheffield United legend made four top-flight appearances for the Blades last season before he joined Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers, where a season-ending shin injury curtailed the move after just 17 minutes of action.

Cook suggested he would dip into the free agent market if it made the Spireites’ squad better, and the acquisition of Fleck only boosts the level of quality in Chesterfield’s midfield.

But as Metcalfe is finding out, getting into Cook’s settled midfield is proving tricky.

The double pivot of Ollie Banks and Darren Oldaker have started all five of Chesterfield’s League Two games, creating a solid partnership together, where Banks leads League Two for long balls per 90 with 10, nearly four more than the next highest.

But there is a chance for someone to cement their place next to Banks in the middle this Saturday.

Oldaker had played every minute of League Two action until the 25-year-old received his marching orders following a harsh second yellow card against Grimsby, with the Spireites holding on to a 2-1 lead with 10 men for their first home win of the season.

The former Dorking man will miss the Spireites’ away trip to Port Vale, who ran out 4–1 winners over nine-man Newport last time out.

The trip to Vale Park this Saturday will be the first time this season the Banks-Oldaker double pivot is broken up, and any of Metcalfe, Fleck, and 37-year-old Mike Jones could step into the role.

Jenson Metcalfe has impressed in his limited League Two minutes.

Despite playing just 29 minutes of League Two action, Metcalfe impressed with his tidy dribbling, quality first touch, and solid passing as he helped the Spireites over the line against Grimsby.

The 20-year-old should’ve had an assist too when he drove past his man on the right and clipped a ball into the back post, where Lewis Gordon’s header hit the post and the follow-up strike from Will Grigg cannoned off the bar.

Metcalfe impressed defensively too, as Chesterfield dug-in for the last 25 minutes with 10 men, winning all four of his duels as he made two tackles and won a free-kick (Sofascore).

The Everton loanee has already proved his ability to keep the ball and retain possession, which makes him a good fit in Cook’s system, and following two good performances, he could deserve a start in the middle of the park.

With Fleck bound to take time to get back to full fitness after playing just over 100 minutes in the past year and Mike Jones yet to feature in League Two, Metcalfe is perhaps the favourite to replace Oldaker at Vale Park.

Metcalfe is looking for his first senior start this weekend, and with Oldaker suspended and Fleck not fully up to speed, Saturday could provide the perfect opportunity for the youngster to make his mark.