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Everton have only started their rebuild under David Moyes and January could see some exciting additions made.
David Moyes isn’t quite a miracle although few managers in England are as capable as the Everton manager when it comes to getting the best out of players.
The Toffees boss has the smallest squad in the Premier League but has been fortunate with injuries in that only Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson are out after going under the knife. Any more absentees at centre-half and right-back might cause sleepless nights for Moyes though who will be counting down the days until the January transfer window opens so that he can strengthen again.
Who Everton could signing January
Moyes admitted his frustration at getting close to completing deals only for them to fall through with Fulham’s Kenny Tete being the best example. Everton were looking at upgrading the right-back position due to Father Time catching up with Seamus Coleman and Patterson’s continued struggles with injury since signing from Rangers. The veteran Scot will be hoping for more luck in January with three key positions that will be considered although, if the right players become available, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more than a few faces through the door and being paraded at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Defence
The most obvious area for both the short and long term that Everton will look to target. Right back was a priority in the summer and that situation hasn’t changed. Jake O’Brien is capable of covering at full-back or in the middle, but Moyes is clearly looking for upgrades on what he currently has. Branthwaite will be back in the new year, however, Nathan Ake has been mentioned as a possible target and the Netherlands international would bring a sound mixture of experience and quality. It would also allow Everton to cash in on Branthwaite, should the £75m valuation be met.
In the summer, Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez was linked with Everton and recent reports suggest that the 22-year-old is back on the radar of the recruitment team. Standing over 6ft tall and with the flexibility to play further up the park, the Spain Under-21 international has the right mix of attacking ability and defensive nous. Signing Ake and Sanchez would give Moyes a bigger safety net in terms of injury as well as the much-needed quality that could see a challenge for European places.
Big money signing to lead the Everton attack?
Midfield and attack
Moyes can be happy with how he has recruited in the midfield and forward areas which has allowed him to play James Garner as a make-shift right-back. That there is a genuine consideration to keep the former Man Utd kid there says it all about how well he has played. What is a concern though, is the potential loss of Idrissa Gueye for the African Cup of Nations during which the 36-year old midfielder could miss several Premier League fixtures.
One option that has been mentioned is a loan swoop for Kobbie Mainoo who has grown disillusioned at Old Trafford and who needs more regular game time if he is to make the plane to the USA as part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. Mainoo might be a different type of midfielder, but he has the energy and aggression needed to be a perfect fit for Everton.
The most obvious position to upgrade is at striker. Between Beto and Thierno Barry they have played 22 times in the Premier League and amassed the grand total of 1 goal. Barry’s all-round game has suggested that there are better times around the corner, but having a proven goalscorer could be the difference between looking over their shoulder or up the table and to European places.
In terms of rumours, Ivan Toney is the one that will excite given his record in the league and his ability to lead the line at a club that doesn’t usually dominate possession. Coming from Saudi Arabia he would be expensive, even on loan given his £400,000 per week salary, but few strikers who could be are available are as low risk.
All going well, this is how Everton could line-up after the January transfer window closes: Pickford, Sanchez, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Ake, Mainoo, Garner, Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Toney.
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