Everton should be pushing hard for Hayden Hackney this summer, with impressive new data metrics emerging about the Middlesbrough midfielder.
Everton were linked with Hackney ahead of the January transfer window, but no move materialised.
Realistically, a move was never too likely given he is integral to Boro’s promotion push.
Should Everton be making a summer move for Hayden Hackney at a reported £30m?
Perhaps he'd be a good long-term successor to Idrissa Gana Gueye… 🤔
A custom graphic showing the reported asking price of Hayden Hackney.
Credit: Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Boro also slapped a £30 million asking price on Hackney, which is the kind of money you don’t often see being spent in a January window.
But Everton remain keen on the player, and some more impressive metrics about Hackney have emerged.
Hayden Hackney is the positive, all-action midfielder Everton need
Hayden Hackney playing for Middlesbrough.
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Yesterday, Data MB published some interesting metrics about Hackney that really do show what a positive player he is.
They say that across all leagues, no midfielder has more touches, short passes, or progressive carries than Hackney.
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And he ranks very high in the following metrics:
99th percentile for progressive carries
98th percentile for forward passes
93rd percentile for progressive passes
88th percentile for forward pass %
What this highlights is that Hackney is always thinking about advancing the ball, rather than playing safe.
Whether it’s with a pass or a carry, Hackney is on the front foot and wants to get the ball into dangerous positions.
Everton stacked in midfield, but Hackney difficult to ignore
Hayden Hackney claps fans.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
This summer, there will be positions for Everton to address that are more important than others.
Arguably, two new full-backs and a new striker should be top of the agenda.
Everton actually have a great pool of midfielders right now with the likes of James Garner, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Harrison Armstrong, Tim Iroegbunam, Merin Rohl and Charly Alcaraz.
James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam playing for Everton.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
But Hackney is clearly a serious talent, who should be playing in the Premier League.
It’s not out of the question that a couple of these players could leave Everton in the summer. Iroegbunam, Rohl and Alcaraz have all lacked minutes and may seek new opportunities.
If space opens up, Everton have to push hard for Hackney, because no doubt several other clubs will be trying their luck.
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