Everton: Why international defender Aymen Abdennour won’t sign
By Paul Taylor
Aymen Abdennour won’t be joining Everton, but the Tunisian international could reportedly still end up coming to the Premier League.
Everton recently made an offer for Aymen Abdennour, in their attempts to strengthen the depth in defence. However, at the time HITC’s Dan Coombs reported the centre back would likely reject the Blues’ offer (along with one from Newcastle United).
The main reason was apparently Abdennour’s reluctance to move to England. As Coombs noted, his preference was to return to France, where he previously played for Toulouse and Monaco.
With this in mind, the latest speculation regarding the Tunisian international comes as somewhat of a surprise. As per a report from the Mirror‘s John Richardson, he has been linked with a transfer to Watford.
Richardson writes that the Hornets will initially pay £2 million, to loan Abdennour from Valencia for a season. However, they will also offer £9 million, in order to make the deal permanent.
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The final decision will rest with the player himself, who is currently under contract until 2020. The question is, why would he pick Watford over Everton?
In truth, it likely links to Abdennour’s desire to make sure he is in the best possible position to go to the World Cup next year, assuming Tunisia qualify. This means playing regular first team football.
In this respect, you can understand why the 27-year-old is keen to leave Valencia, after only making 13 league appearances last season. Further, as Coombs writes, if he moves to Merseyside, there is no guarantee he will play regularly, especially with the Blues’ ever-growing squad.
You could argue playing for a team picked to battle relegation again, may not be in the best interests of Abdennour. However, if the possibility of moving back to France is no longer an option, maybe all he’s bothered about now is starting regularly, no matter where it is. (Within reason of course.)
Overall, it’s all very well us saying Abdennour is crazy to pick a struggling team over one which has aspirations of challenging for a top four spot in the Premier League. In fairness to him though, he has never played at the World Cup with Tunisia and the 2018 tournament represents his best — and possible last — chance to make this become a reality.
Next: Is Barkley pricing himself out of a move?
Are you frustrated by Abdennour’s apparent reluctance to join the Blues? Or do you appreciate/understand his rationale for wanting to play elsewhere? Further, is there anyone in particular, you’d like to see Ronald Koeman target, in order to boost the defence? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.