Six bright stars from the UEFA European Under-21 Championships who Everton could target
Six bright stars from the UEFA European Under-21 Championships who Everton could target
Strikers Thierno Barry of France and Nick Woltemade of Germany are both on Everton’s radar but with this year’s UEFA European Under-21 Championships about to go into the semi-final stage, which other prospects who have been in action should the Blues be eyeing up in what promises to be a busy transfer window?
The ECHO understands that Barry, of Villarreal, and Woltemade, of VfB Stuttgart, are a couple of strikers who David Moyes is considering as he looks to bolster his attacking options. The latter has been in particularly prolific form in the competition and is currently top scorer on five goals after opening with a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Slovenia and then netting Germany’s third goal in the 4-2 win against the Czech Republic before equalising against Italy in the quarter-finals in a game his side eventually won 3-2 after extra time.
During his first spell at Goodison Park, Moyes, who steered Everton to nine top-eight finishes, including a highest ever Premier League placing of fourth in 2004/05, earned a reputation for developing hungry, young players, so while the Scot himself was last week spotted watching Argentinian side Boca Juniors draw 2-2 with Portuguese outfit Benfica in the FIFA Club World Cup at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, the tournament in Slovakia could be the ideal hunting ground to unearth some youthful gems. In alphabetical order, here’s a look at six of the best prospects who have caught the eye.
Bright Arrey-Mbi, Germany Age 22 (Born: 26 March, 2003) With 16 balls recovered, Arrey-Mbi was named UEFA’s official man-of-the-match for Germany’s 3-2 extra time win over Italy in the quarter-finals. A 6ft 2in centre-back who can also play left-back, he made 27 appearances for Portuguese Primeira Liga club Braga last season having joined them for €6.2million from Hannover. Born in Cameroon, he is also eligible to represent the West African nation and England having moving to the UK at the age of 11 and being educated at St Thomas More School in Bedford. Arrey-Mbi turned out for the Three Lions at Under-15s level and had spells in the youth academies of Norwich City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Bright Arrey-Mbi, Germany Age 22 (Born: 26 March, 2003) With 16 balls recovered, Arrey-Mbi was named UEFA’s official man-of-the-match for Germany’s 3-2 extra time win over Italy in the quarter-finals. A 6ft 2in centre-back who can also play left-back, he made 27 appearances for Portuguese Primeira Liga club Braga last season having joined them for €6.2million from Hannover. Born in Cameroon, he is also eligible to represent the West African nation and England having moving to the UK at the age of 11 and being educated at St Thomas More School in Bedford. Arrey-Mbi turned out for the Three Lions at Under-15s level and had spells in the youth academies of Norwich City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
2. Djaoui Cisse, France Age 21 (Born: 31 January, 2004) Central midfielder Cisse was the man-of-the-match in both France’s 3-2 quarter-final win over Denmark and their 4-1 romp against Poland in the group stage. Against the Danes, he netted a timely equaliser just before the interval and recorded 91% passing accuracy while against the Poles he scored twice in the space of 10 minutes (19 and 29) while also providing an assist with 90% passing accuracy. Like Abdoulaye Doucoure, who played in a similar position for Everton between 2020-2025, Cisse is French born of Malian descent, with the Blues ace going on to be capped twice by the West African nation. 6ft 2in Cisse plays his club football for Rennes, the club where Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga started, only breaking into the first team in February and making 14 Ligue 1 appearances.
Djaoui Cisse, France Age 21 (Born: 31 January, 2004) Central midfielder Cisse was the man-of-the-match in both France’s 3-2 quarter-final win over Denmark and their 4-1 romp against Poland in the group stage. Against the Danes, he netted a timely equaliser just before the interval and recorded 91% passing accuracy while against the Poles he scored twice in the space of 10 minutes (19 and 29) while also providing an assist with 90% passing accuracy. Like Abdoulaye Doucoure, who played in a similar position for Everton between 2020-2025, Cisse is French born of Malian descent, with the Blues ace going on to be capped twice by the West African nation. 6ft 2in Cisse plays his club football for Rennes, the club where Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga started, only breaking into the first team in February and making 14 Ligue 1 appearances.
3. Javi Guerra, Spain Age 22 (Born: 13 May, 2003) Man-of-the-match for Spain’s 2-1 win over Romania in the group stage with an 81% passing accuracy rate, central midfielder Guerra also netted from the penalty spot in the 39th minute in the 3-1 quarter-final defeat to England as his side exited the competition. Another one who stands at 6ft 2in – the younger generation of top players appear to be getting taller – he broke into the Valencia first team aged 17 and has played over 36 and 32 La Liga matches for them over the past two seasons, netting four and three goals respectively. A talented footballer who can play either in a holding or more advanced position in the midfield, Guerra covers long distances, has a great short game and is adept at delivering through balls while possessing impressive tackling skills.
Javi Guerra, Spain Age 22 (Born: 13 May, 2003) Man-of-the-match for Spain’s 2-1 win over Romania in the group stage with an 81% passing accuracy rate, central midfielder Guerra also netted from the penalty spot in the 39th minute in the 3-1 quarter-final defeat to England as his side exited the competition. Another one who stands at 6ft 2in – the younger generation of top players appear to be getting taller – he broke into the Valencia first team aged 17 and has played over 36 and 32 La Liga matches for them over the past two seasons, netting four and three goals respectively. A talented footballer who can play either in a holding or more advanced position in the midfield, Guerra covers long distances, has a great short game and is adept at delivering through balls while possessing impressive tackling skills.