Despite the summer’s record transfer outlay, Everton look shaky at the back and tentative up front. This week we are looking at a few players Steve Walsh might be looking at in the transfer window. These players will have 6 months left on their contracts at the start of the January window. First up, Central Defenders.
ATM 2017/18❤️ pic.twitter.com/bhYjxPiQTt
— Jose Maria Gimenez (@JoseMaGimenez13) July 21, 2017
The Hot Prospect
Whilst Farhad Moshiri has been unable to prise Diego Simeone from Atletico Madrid, he may be tempted to sign a centre half from Los Colchoneros. José Giménez is a 22 year old Uruguayan international who has made over a hundred appearances Atletico. He signed from Danubio for a fee of 900,000 euros in 2013. He has made 6 appearances in La Liga this season and played in the 2014 World Cup for his country at the age of 19. Since the departure of John Stones, we have had a first team ready prospect for centre half. José Giménez is of the right age and not far from his prime years.
Pros
Despite being only 22, Giménez has a lot of experience. He has already been a part of a championship winning side and played in high pressure games. Giménez will be looking for first team football to cement his place in the squad for next summer’s World Cup. The Uruguayan is also out of contract next summer and Atletico may look to cash in rather than lose him on a free transfer. On the playing side, he is good in the air although not quite the ideal size at 6 foot 1. He is no slouch on the ground either, an area that Everton sorely miss at the back.
Cons
Whilst possessing the toughness that epitomises Uruguayan football, it may take him time to get used to the pace of English football. As a young player, he has still not mastered the nuances of positioning. With Michael Keane alongside him, he may not be the ideal choice to partner the former Burnley man who is still learning himself. He has also been strongly linked with United and Arsenal in the past and the former can offer him Champions League football.
Verdict
Possible but unlikely. Would be a great centre half for the future but may want Champions League football.
The Established Player
⚽️🦅 #UEL #LAZIOnizza #AvantiLazio pic.twitter.com/5yNfMQVB8g
— Stefan de Vrij (@Stefandevrij) November 2, 2017
After letting go of Ronald Koeman, Farhad Moshiri may be wary of Dutch Centre Half’s but he could make an exception with De Vrij. The 25 year old Lazio player is out of contract this summer and has been linked with Spurs and Liverpool in the past. He has made 33 appearances for Holland, although he has been out of favour in recent years due to injury. He may see a move to Everton as being perfect to catch the eye of the next Dutch manager. At 25, De Vrij is an established player and an experienced international.
Pros
At 6 foot 2, De Vrij is a good height for a centre back although it is not his physicality that he is renowned for. He is a ball playing centre back in the Dutch mould, comfortable with the ball at his feet. He reads the game well and makes more interceptions than tackles, proving his intelligence. Right footed, the Dutchman will be highly motivated to win back his place in the Dutch side. With Davy Klaassen already at the club, he may be able to be convinced to join the Toffees. With the success of Virgil Van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldumin the Premier League, De Vrij may be tempted to join them.
Cons
De Vrij is not known for his physicality and may struggle in the Premier League against some of the heftier centre forwards. He has been playing in the Italian league which is much slower and may need time to adapt. Everton need a player to hit the ground running. Dutch football is in decline at the moment and De Vrij may not be the quality Everton need to reach the Champions League places. Lazio are also notoriously difficult to negotiate transfers with so Everton may wait until the summer window.
Verdict
De Vrij is a decent centre half but may not be the type that Everton need at the moment.
The Cheaper Option
📰 | Everton are reportedly keen to sign Croatia international Domagoj Vida: https://t.co/5MqVEOMBr1 pic.twitter.com/w9i8qlG2Cu
— Read Everton (@ReadEverton) November 16, 2017
Another player linked to Everton recently is the Croatian international, Domagoj Vida. Currently playing for Dynamo Kiev, the 28 year old is out of contract at the end of the year and would be able to join Everton on a free in January. The former Dynamo Zagreb and Bayer Leverkusen centre half has also been linked to both Milan clubs.
Pros
Once linked with David Moyes at Sunderland, he fits the profile of a Moyes transfer with his versatility. He is comfortable at both right back and centre back. An experienced international, Vida has made over 200 league appearances and 51 appearances for Croatia. A league title winner in 2015, Vida is touch and uncompromising. He famously tried to play on after suffering a Terry Butcher style head wound in a Europa League match with Young Boys.
Cons
At just over 6 foot, Vida lacks the ideal height for a centre half. He failed to make an impact at Bayer Leverkusen which would be a concern if he did move to the premier league. Vida currently plies his trade in the Ukrainian Premier League so he may struggle to adapt to the different quality in English football. He would also need a haircut as Evertonians are no fans of man buns and Alice bands.
Verdict
Vida certainly has experience but has not performed at a level as high as the premier league. He could be cheap cover at the back while Coleman takes the first tentative steps of his comeback.
The Less Likely Lads
Robert Huth is a player with vast Premier League Experience and is a 3 time Premier League title winner. At 33 though, and with pace never being one of his strengths, it is unlikely that Everton will be interested him with both Williams and Jagielka having a similar profile. Leicester may also be unwilling to transfer their talismanic centre half.
Neven Subotic was once a hot prospect in European football. Unfortunately it seems a case of too much too soon. The Serbian international’s career has drifted from a promising start at Borussia Dortmund to a poor loan spell at FC Cologne. Under Moyes, he would have been the kind of reclamation project that Everton would go for. It remains to be seen whether the new manager would have interest in the Serb.
Martin Hinteregger is an Austrian international approaching the final 6 months of his contract at FC Augsburg. The ball playing centre half is left footed and can also play at left back and defensive midfield. He has recently had ankle surgery and is due to return at the start of the transfer window on 1 January next season. If he proves his fitness, he could be an addition around deadline day. Will that be too late for Everton?
Summary
All of the players mentioned have doubts attached to them, which is why they weren’t sold last summer. Everton are stuck between planning for the future and avoiding relegation. Do they take a punt on one of these players and hope they manage to reach their potential? The alternative is overspending on an established player or even worse, going with the aging Jagielka and Williams. The new manager is only the first big decision facing Everton.
Would you go for any of these players? Is there an alternative at another club you would like to see at Everton? Let us know in the comment section below.