With three goals in two games, is Oumar Niasse set to solve the issues Everton have faced up front so far this season?
When Oumar Niasse was first signed by Everton for £13.5 million in February 2016, he came with high expectations. Renowned for his strength, pace and work rate, he had also been named Russian Player of the Year during his time with Lokomotiv Moscow.
Even though Niasse didn’t score in seven appearances — albeit five as a substitute — the future appeared bright for him. And then Ronald Koeman arrived.
Koeman determined Niasse wasn’t good enough for the first team squad, based on one 45-minute appearance during pre-season. The 27-year old lost his shirt number and was told to train with the Under-23s.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Senegalese international didn’t even have a locker. He was understandably devastated by this turn of events, after the initial excitement of joining Everton.
Speaking to The Guardian‘s David Hytner in October 2016, Niasse discussed what had happened to him. He said:
"“It’s sad, it’s really sad. And, to be honest, I think I don’t deserve this, but what I can do is just keep my head and fight to change things. I’m not going to make a drama over this. I just deal with it. I know it’s just one period.”"
The perception at the time was Niasse was being punished by Koeman, for his refusal to leave Everton during the 2016 Summer transfer window. The Blues manager essentially told him he needed to leave, if he wanted to play regular first team football.
However, credit where it’s due, as the striker refused to give up on his Premier League dream. He worked hard in training with the Under-23s and was loaned to Hull City in January 2017, where he scored five goals in 19 total appearances.
When Hull City declined to pick up the option to sign Niasse on a permanent deal, he returned to Everton, where he was expected to once again be frozen out. And yet ironically, he may well have just turned around the fortunes of his embattled manager.
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With the two late strikes against Bournemouth on Saturday, the former Akhisar Belediyespor player ended a run of three league defeats for Everton and took them out of the bottom three. It completed an eventful week for him, after also scoring a goal in the League Cup tie versus Sunderland.
Now, Niasse is the team’s joint-leading league goalscorer and he has the opportunity to finally live up to his potential. At least that’s the theory, especially given the Blues’ lack of goals so far this season.
Unsurprisingly, Koeman has received a lot of criticism for the way he treated Niasse. However, he insists it’s all in the past now, believing the player is thriving as a result of decreased expectations.
As for Niasse himself, he just wants to leave the past behind and move forward. Speaking to the Echo‘s David Prentice, he said:
"“There is nothing to say about that. He just said this was a new opportunity for me and he wanted to look at me again…“Last year he said I wasn’t ready and maybe I wasn’t ready. I went to the Under-23s and learned more and learned I have to work hard.”"
It’s tough not to root for Niasse after what he’s been through since coming to Everton, especially with how he has handled everything with such class. Now, it’s up to him to show he belongs at the top level of English football, by scoring regularly and keeping the Blues’ season back on track.
Next: Will Giroud really come to Everton in January?
What’s your take on how Koeman dealt with Niasse last season? Do you believe it helped the forward get to where he is now? Regardless, do you see him helping solve the Blues’ goal scoring issues? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.