Why Everton should not pursue Jose Fonte
By Gary Pearson
Ronald Koeman is interested in reuniting with one of his former Southampton players, as Jose Fonte is a wanted man by a few Premier League outfits.
Claude Puel hasn’t mixed his words about Fonte, making everyone know that he has no future at the Southampton. Fonte deserves better, especially after the loyalty and leadership he’s provided for the Saints since joining the club in 2010.
While Fonte has enjoyed a fantastic career, Everton should fight their temptation to sign the Southampton captain.
The benefits
It’s a difficult decision to make as the pros, on paper, probably outweigh the cons. Fonte is still a club captain, evincing leadership qualities that are often so hard to come by.
Until Southampton’s recent defensive unravelings, Fonte, with the help of Vrigil van Dijk, formed one of the Premier League’s most solid center back pairings.
He makes excellent decisions, is sound positionally and has a wealth of experience most teams are desirous of.
West Ham, Manchester United and Crystal Palace are all in the running to sign Fonte, all of whom would benefit more from the experienced center back’s services. The aforementioned teams all lack, to some extent, a center back with Fonte’s experience and leadership.
Everton, however, do not need more experience at the back, or anywhere on the pitch for that matter. The Toffees are already the fourth oldest team in the Premier League.
All of Everton’s elder statesmen – Leighton Baines, 32, Gareth Barry, 35, Seamus Coleman, 28, Ashley Williams, 32, and Phil Jagielka, 34 – still play significant roles for the Toffees. While nobody is disputing how valuable Fonte is to a team, Everton don’t need another player on their squad coming to the end of their career.
The 33-year-old only has another year or two of first-team football so it isn’t worth bringing him aboard for the short term, even if the asking price is only going to cost in the realm of £5 million.
Ramiro Funes Mori is still only 25 years old, while Mason Holgate, 20, has a long future ahead and will make a great center back in years to come. Mori has played well this season for an Everton side whose defense, barring a few letdowns, has been consistently good.
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The Toffees have conceded only 23 goals so far this season, which is sixth best in the top flight. There is no need for center back cover in the form of a 33-year-old in the twilight of his career.
Koeman should concentrate on signing offensive-minded players and younger center backs, like van Dijk, Fonte’s much younger center back partner. And he should do whatever it takes, even if it means breaking the bank to get his man.