Everton vs Manchester United
Everton vs Manchester United
Everton closed the summer transfer window with one striker and one left-back with most of the recruitment coming in the middle of the park.
The engine room wasn’t really a cause for concern other than the evergreen Idrissa Gana Gueye returning to France in his twilight years, and yet David Moyes should be tempted in January.
After the priority areas are addressed, the Toffees boss should be looking at how he can get the best bang for his buck after a solid start to the season.
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One of the fears during the transfer window was that Harrison Armstrong could leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium for pastures new. The arrivals of Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard future-proof this to an extent, as does James Garner, who is currently with the England squad, continuing his good form, but sometimes, timing is everything.
Nicolas Raskin enjoyed a standout World Cup with Belgium, rejuvenating an ageing Red Devils side and elevating his profile on the international stage. After three years at Rangers, he seemed certain to move on to bigger and better things.
French media outlet L’Equipe was hugely impressed, naming the 25-year old in their “Team of Revelations”: “Of the strong choices Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has made since taking charge as head coach of the Red Devils, the decision to field Nico Raskin in midfield is one of the smartest.”
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Deadline day saw Raskin demonstrate his desire to test himself at a higher level by rejecting an initial loan offer from Besiktas with the option to buy fee reported to be under £15m. Romeo Lavia cost Chelsea £53m and Aston Villa paid £50m for former Toffee Amadou Onana, two players who Raskin consistently keeps out of the Belgium starting XI.
The Scottish league is a hard one to assess, but Raskin’s performances in Europe and at international level prove he can mix it with the big boys.
Everton v Sunderland David Moyes manager of Everton gives his team instructions during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match
IMAGO / News Images
Who Would Benefit From Raskin Move?
Raskin isn’t a playmaker in terms of passing. He does his best work off the ball and alongside a partner who likes to dictate play. He also thrives with more creative players ahead of him. Everton stars Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish in particular could benefit by having a second ball-winning monster behind them.
Garner and Hackney could also spend more energy playing on the front foot rather than trying to win the ball back, Raskin’s biggest strength is his ability to do the work of two.
Selling players to meet FFP regulations is inevitable, which doesn’t make a possible exit for Harrison any less painful, but it does justify and explain it. Moyes would have money left over for a left-back and more depth in the forward line too, if he spent it wisely.
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The Last Word
Raskin has dominated games against Premier League and Spanish opposition in Europe and was at home on the world stage; if anything, some of his performances in Scotland suggest that he is bored, rather than not being capable.
Somebody is going to get a bargain when he leaves Rangers, and a player who has another level to go to. Whether in a three or a two, Raskin could be the missing piece in the Everton midfield jigsaw.
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IMAGO / News Images