Everton boss David Moyes in inlet, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal in action.
Everton boss David Moyes in inlet, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal in action.
Everton are in the market for a right-back as the transfer window edges towards its conclusion.
Jake O’Brien is currently Everton’s starting option on the right flank of defence as the Ireland international has impressed David Moyes.
They need competition, though, as Everton skipper Seamus Coleman is injury-prone and Nathan Patterson looks set to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton are set to address the issue with a new signing before the deadline, but whether they can find the right player is yet to be seen.
Could Hector Fort be the answer?
Jake O'Brien
Credit: Imago
This article includes exclusive comments from iconic commentator Ian Darke.
Hector Fort issues emerges at Everton already
Everton have been linked with ex-Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is now a right-back at Lyon and Barcelona ace, Fort.
Darke does not believe that either option is good enough at the elite level, but he likes what he has seen from Fort so far, with insight into his work with Lamine Yamal.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, he said: “Fort grew up alongside Lamine Yamal in Barcelona’s youth teams and spent a lot of his youth trying to mark him in practice games at La Masia.
“He is interesting, he is a stylish young player, he can’t get past Jules Kounde into the Barcelona team, but he is a very good young full-back.
“Maitland-Niles, I suppose, is a steady Eddie, but he has never really broken through at various clubs to be a regular Premier League starter. He has made well over 100 appearances for the likes of Arsenal, West Brom and Southampton.
“He would be an experienced bloke to have around, who could fill in at a couple of positions, but neither of those would be a top-quality right-back; but it may be the area of the market that Everton are looking at.
“They could do with another body for that position, although O’Brien does a good enough job there.”
Everton target Ainsley Maitland-Niles in action for Lyon.
Credit: Imago
Hector Fort would be a risk for Everton
Fort has only played 30 times for Barcelona in the senior ranks, so his inexperience would be a huge risk.
He featured for a total of 579 minutes in La Liga last season, and even in a possession-dominant team, he struggled at both ends from a statistical standpoint.
Stats Fort
Assists 0
Chances created 10
Ground duels won 37.3%
Aerial duels won 30%
Therefore, Maitland-Niles would probably be a better option if the Blues enter the market, given his versatility and experience.
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