Mario Gila has been linked with Everton – and his latest performance may show exactly why the Toffees are keen.
Everton will be busy this summer, with a number of positions needing attention.
A right-back, left-back and striker will be high on the agenda.
Who should be Everton’s starting centre-backs for next season? 😬
Ross Sykes could provide a dominant replacement for Michael Keane! 🤩
Ross Sykes playing in the Champions League for Union SG against Atletico Madrid.
Credit: Getty Images/Diego Souto
But in recent weeks we’ve also seen links to new centre-backs, with Michael Keane’s contract set to expire.
Keane has had a great season and probably deserves an extension, but it’s not clear if negotiations have commenced yet.
But even so, Keane and James Tarkowski are not long term options and there will soon be need for a younger option – and Mario Gila looks like he could be a solid addition.
Mario Gila gives incredible defensive showing for Lazio amid Everton transfer links
It was claimed last week that Everton are ‘ready to burst onto the scene in the coming weeks’ to sign Gila.
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And following that claim, Gila proceeded to give a performance for Lazio against AC Milan that was nothing short of exceptional.
Lazio won the game 1-0, but faced pressure from the visitors, who had 60% possession and 11 shots.
Mario Gila playing for Lazio.
Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images
But the Rossoneri were kept at bay – and Gila certainly played his part in preserving the clean sheet. As per Sofascore, he made a staggering 19 defensive actions in the game.
These were made up of 12 clearances, two blocks, three interceptions and two tackles.
The player with the next highest amount of defensive actions was Nuno Tavares with 11. Milan’s biggest contribution was Strahinja Pavlovic with nine.
Gila also won six of the seven duels he contested.
What’s more, Gila was near-perfect in terms of his passing, completing 59/62 (95% accuracy). He also had the most touches of any player in the game with 85.
Top Italian publication Il Messaggero wrote a feature piece about Gila today, amid the speculation about his future.
They branded his performance ‘monumental’, stating ‘we are witnessing the full power of his talent’. They also said he was ‘outstanding’ in the game before against Sassuolo.
Everton face competition for Gila
With Gila apparently not interested in signing an extension with Lazio, he will be sold this summer.
Since he’ll have just a year left on his contract, that likely means someone will get Gila for a fee that is below his true market value.
Mario Gila claps the fans.
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Everton aren’t the only horse in the race.
It’s reported by Il Messaggero that both Milan clubs are keen, and that there’s also interest from Leicester City and Bournemouth in England.
Everton could do with a younger option given the ages of Tarkowski and Keane, and the Spaniard seems like a solid option.
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