Image Credit: Carlos RM/Flickr
Challenging on more than just the domestic scene can be a revealing test of any club’s resources and it’s common knowledge that having a bigger squad has the capacity to strengthen a team’s match-day threat regardless of injuries. Plainly put, the more options the manager has from the dugout, the better equipped his team are to go as far as they can in all competitions.
And with news of Arouna Kone’s return to first-team action following a lengthy lay-off, Everton fans will rejoice.
Adding another string to The Toffees’ bow, the Ivorian offers them an extra option up front, something they’ve certainly been lacking of late and gives them a similar sort of target man to aim for as his style of play very closely resembles that of Romelu Lukaku. Good in the air, muscular and composed with the ball at his feet, he should find little trouble filling in for the Belgium international whenever necessary.
He’s been out of the main squad for over a year, so it’s going to take time for the 31-year-old to readjust and get back up to speed but it’s comforting for the fans to know that he’s available.
In fact, as reported by Everton’s Official website, he’s set to start their next Europa League clash against Kuban Krasnodar as Roberto Martinez thinks he’s ready for the task ahead:
"“He willl start against Krasnodar in the Europa League which will be a great moment for him. We’re looking forward to seeing him make a new start to his Everton career because it’s been frustrating and very difficult to cope with an injury of that magnitude.”"
Already qualified from Group H and with an unassailable lead at the top of the tree, they have nothing to lose by experimenting a bit with their side ahead of Thursday’s match-up, so don’t be surprised to see a few big names rested as Martinez continues to cope with the hectic December schedule.
And, just in case it had been forgotten Kone’s also a proven FA Cup winner, having won the title back in 2013 with Wigan Athletic, upsetting Manchester City in a memorable Wembley display. So, he brings with him a winners’ mentality, and that’s something that could turn out to be an invaluable asset in the coming months.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Perhaps the most positive element about his comeback is the fact that he adds goals to the side.
A natural finisher, his record – although not spectacular – is very consistent. While on loan with Levante in La Liga, he rolled home 15 goals, whereas when he was with the Latics, he scored 13 times. Clearly, he has the raw talent to procure goals on a steady feed and it will be interesting to see just what sort of time-frame he needs to reach those levels again.
Despite being out for so long, Kone’s actually come back ahead of schedule as he wasn’t anticipated to return until January at the earliest due to a complicated healing process that took a specialist to resolve – so his availability once more really couldn’t have come at a better time for the team as a whole.
Having not yet scored a goal for The Blues, Thursday evening could turn out to be an extra-special night for the player, but for now all involved will just hope the former Levante striker doesn’t suffer another set-back and he can continue to put his injury-plagued past behind him.
Do you think Kone still has a lot to offer Everton? Can he finally start scoring for fun?