Is Koeman interested in Inter’s Ever Banega?
By Gary Pearson
A rumor just coming to light, football.fr are reporting that Ronald Koeman has his sights set on Inter’s Ever Banega in the January transfer window.
It looks as though Banega, who moved to Inter from Sevilla in the summer, is falling out of favor at the club that, in its own right, has fallen from grace. Inter’s new manager Stefano Pioli favors Marcelo Brozovic and Joao Mario, both of whom are above Banega in the Inter pecking order.
Banega, back in 2009, was on the verge of signing for Everton, but the deal broke down due to issues with his work visa. He also piqued Manchester United’s curiosity in 2014. But that’s not really a surprise as David Moyes was once again the main interested party.
What he would bring to Goodison
Banega, in 13 Serie A appearances this season, has one goal and two assists. But he’s not really known for his offensive output. He is, however, an extremely accomplished passer.
His distribution is out of the upper echelon. The Argentine is equipped with the ability to effortlessly and precisely knock the ball around the park all day long. Banega is slick on the ball, dictates play and rarely loses possession. He also has the uncanny knack for seeing, and completing, difficult penetrative and incisive through balls.
A strong tackler, Banega is an incredibly sound on the defensive side of the ball. He would be a good long-term fit for Gareth Barry, whose playing time will start to slowly decrease as age prevents him from playing at the pace the Premier League demands.
Banega can be deployed as both a defensive and attacking central midfielder, as his past experience indicates.
Proven winner
There’s no doubting Banega’s pedigree.
The 28-year-old won consecutive Europa League’s with Sevilla, the most famous of which, especially for Everton supporters, came against Liverpool in last year’s final. He was named man of the match in the 2015 Europa League final.
Along with Sergio Aguero, he was part of Argentina’s 2007 World Under-20s Championship side.
Banega’s past indiscretions
The defensive midfielder has a somewhat troubled past. Transgressions as long as a shopping list, Banega was his own worst enemy during the early stages of his career. After signing with Valencia in 2008, a video emerged showing the Argentine pleasuring himself on a webcam. No football supporter wants to see that.
A year prior, when Banega was just 19, he and his Argentine Under 20 teammates filmed themselves smashing up their Canadian hotel room after winning the World Under-20s Championship.
A few driving incidents followed, one of which purportedly involving an intoxicated Banega. Valencia’s patience with Banega’s wild party life quickly evaporated. They loaned him out to Atletico Madrid after only 12 games.
But the list of follies didn’t end there.
He lived the rockstar lifestyle in the capital during his short stint with Atletico and was shipped back to Valencia six matches later.
Things finally took a turn for the better, as Banega returned to the exquisite form that attracted Valencia to him in the first place.
Another brain fart, however, soon followed.
Banega, after filling up at a petrol station, forgot to put the handbrake on when he went to pay.
Gravity took over.
Banega, using his wily football skills, tried to inexplicably stop the car, like a pass, with his foot. The Ferrari crushed his ankle and broke his fibula, sidelining the mercurial Argentine for six months.
Not long after his return, he suffered yet another automobile mishap. He lost control of his Ferrari on the way to training one morning. The car caught fire and was eventually engulfed by flames.
Fortunately, he escaped unscathed.
He found out what the ‘straight and narrow’ means since then and took the definition to heart.
How credible are the rumors?
Banega almost signed with Everton in 2009. Moyes loved what he saw in the Argentine and, but for an issue with his work visa, would have become an Everton player. The latest rumors, while in their embryonic stage, might have some credence.
Next: Everton battling West Ham to sign Callum Wilson
He’s still only 28 years old and has skill to burn. As long as he doesn’t return to his Argentinian gone wild days, Banega may just offer Everton the long-term solution in midfield Koeman is looking for.
It would be, however, a risk no matter which way you look at it. Too many variables are at play to consider Banega a safe bet. But sometimes if you don’t risk anything, you never win.