Youssef En-Nesyri looks to be showing Everton what they’re missing after a fine start at Al-Ittihad.
En-Nesyri was heavily linked with Everton in January, as the Toffees looked at new striker options for the second half of the season.
There had been a lot of criticism of Thierno Barry and Beto for their lack of output, and it is thought a new striker has been on the agenda for a while.
Winter window now shut, what striker do you want signed in the summer for Everton? 💥
No excuses can be made when the window opens again 😫
Troy Parrott lined up for the Republic of Ireland. Ivan Toney playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Richarlison playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Credit: Getty Images/Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Yasser Bakhsh/Molly Darlington/Copa.
Everton reportedly made a proposal to sign En-Nesyri, but nothing came of the pursuit in the end.
Shortly after that claim, there were reports that En-Nesyri had reservations about the UK climate, which perhaps goes some way to explaining the move he did end up making.
After the UK window closed, En-Nesyri completed a move to Saudi club Al-Ittihad – and he’s made a fine start.
Everton January target Youssef En-Nesyri looks clinical for Al-Ittihad
Youssef En-Nesyri playing for Fenerbahce.
Photo by Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images
En-Nesyri has made five appearances so far since moving to the Saudi Pro League.
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And he probably couldn’t have asked for a much better start, having made an impact in most of those games so far.
The Morocco international has hit three goals, which came in the space of a week against Al-Gharafa (AFC), Al-Fayha (league) and Al-Sadd (AFC). En-Nesyri also picked up an assist in that game against Al-Gharafa.
Against Al-Sadd, as well as producing an ice-cold finish in a one-vs-one situation, the star almost scored a stunning solo goal after picking the ball up inside his own half.
Not primarily known for his dribbling, En-Nesyri slalomed his way to the box before pushing his effort just wide under pressure from a sliding defender.
Overall, the consensus is that En-Nesyri has made a very bright start, and looks to be a solid replacement for Karim Benzema, who left to join Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile Everton lack bite up front
Of course, many will say that the standard of the Saudi Pro League does not really hold a candle to any of the big European leagues.
But nevertheless, this is still an impressive start from En-Nesyri and one wonders if there is some disappointment in the Everton recruitment department.
En-Nesyri is a player Moyes has admired for a while, and he may well have been a good signing given his goal record, which reads as 134 goals in 374 club games to date.
Beto replaces Thierno Barry for Everton.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Barry and Beto continue to draw criticism with their output.
Barry did recently go on a scoring run, but has not netted for three games now. Beto also scored recently, but that was just one of three Premier League strikes so far.
Perhaps En-Nesyri’s stance made it difficult for Everton to get a deal done in January. But regardless, it already looks a bit of a shame he didn’t come.
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