Everton are reportedly interested in Troy Deeney, but you have to question if he will provide the solution to their scoring woes.
It’s December time, which means we’re now less than a month away from the transfer window reopening. As such, you can expect plenty of speculation linking Everton to strikers, as they look to resolve arguably their most pressing need.
Enter Troy Deeney. As per a report from Peter O’Rourke of ESPN, new Blues manager Sam Allardyce will apparently make the Watford striker one of his top targets in January.
O’Rourke writes that the news comes courtesy of sources close to both clubs. The question is, does Deeney represent the solution, as Everton look to resolve their scoring woes?
The 29-year-old has certainly had his moments with Watford. During his first season playing top flight football he scored 15 goals, including 13 in the Premier League.
This was followed up by 10 league goals during the 2016-17 campaign. However, Deeney has fallen out of favour this season, with just three starts and two goals.
This is probably why Allardyce fancies his chances of signing the Birmingham-born player. He is in the second season of a five-year deal, so it will be intriguing to see how this influences any attempts to lure him away from Watford, who are in the midst of a fantastic campaign.
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It’s fair to say Deeney has had an interesting life. He was expelled from school at 14 (although he returned at 15) and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, for his part in a brawl.
However, the product of Aston Villa’s youth academy should be commended for turning his life around. He was released early from prison, returned to school to earn GCSEs in English, Science & Maths and is married with two children.
This doesn’t mean Deeney shies away from controversy completely. This season alone, he grabbed Stoke City’s Joe Allen by the face and said Arsenal lacked the “cojones” to compete with Watford.
We believe there are better options for Everton to consider, in their quest for forward help. However, in terms of being objective, we appreciate the former Walsall player has his plus points, including being a leader for Watford (exemplified by being team captain).
Of course, our opinion doesn’t even remotely factor into any decision by Everton. In that respect, O’Rourke claims the Blues’ director of football Steve Walsh is a long-time fan of Deeney, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
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How much do you rate Deeney? More to the point, do you think it would be a good move for Everton to sign him in January? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.