Everton have been linked heavily with Ivan Toney in the past hours as a result of their poor striking options this summer – but another star would be a better fit.
Everton have strikers Beto and Thierno Barry in their ranks, coming in at a combined cost of £50million over the past two years, but they have largely faltered in the Premier League.
Just one top-flight goal between them this campaign means Everton have relied on defenders and midfielders to score their goals, prompting Ivan Toney links, with the striker being inquired about after strong form at Al-Ahli.
However, with Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee being linked with Everton, that could be the move to make for David Moyes‘ side to buck the trend on Merseyside.
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Everton have failed massively with their striking options in the transfer market recently
Everton have struggled to find a successful big-money striker ever since Romelu Lukaku left the club for Manchester United eight years ago.
Richarlison did well, although he was naturally a winger, whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin did a stellar job over his nine-year spell at the club before joining Leeds, although he cost just £1.5million from Sheffield United’s academy.
Beto and Barry are the two latest failures to join that cohort of players, and there is something they all have in common.
Player Premier League games Premier League goals
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 67 11
Beto 71 12
Thierno Barry 11 0
Premier League goalscoring records since August 2023 (includes Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Leeds record)
The strikers Everton bring in tend to be physical number nines, which means that if they aren’t involved in the game, it’s hard for Everton to keep hold of the ball and develop any notable attacks in the final third.
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Calvert-Lewin and Beto are aerial threats but aren’t overly great with their feet, whilst Barry is extremely raw and has unsuccessfully been relying on his pace to get in behind.
Zirkzee offers a different profile, and although he doesn’t represent the typically physical nature that Everton have fallen for in the past, that change alongside the sale of Beto or Barry gives them more attacking flexibility.
Sunderland v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images
Signing Joshua Zirkzee would allow David Moyes more tactical flexibility to beat teams
Zirkzee has only featured in four of Manchester United’s Premier League fixtures this season, failing to start a single league fixture and only playing more than 10 minutes when United beat Burnley 3-2 in late August, thanks to an early injury to Matheus Cunha.
Whilst Zirkzee may not be the most prolific goalscorer, he does add the ability to bring other players into the game, as seen at United and in his six caps for the Netherlands national team.
His ‘false nine’ stature will allow players such as Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish the chance to find themselves in more advanced areas, where they have both flourished when being allowed freedom to roam at times this season.
Furthermore, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall offers a goal threat and he will be able to make runs beyond the Dutchman, catching defenders by surprise.
Of course, Zirkzee won’t be suited to every game, and that is where Beto and Thierno Barry can come in – but something different may just give Moyes more scope to record at least a top-half finish.