Chris Smalling being linked to Everton
More late season transfer speculation, this time has Everton being liked with a move for Manchester United centre back Chris Smalling.
I have previously written that I think Everton should be focussed more on midfield as far as transfer priorities go but there is a case for looking at possibly bringing in another defender if the right one is available.
Smalling has had an up and down career at United after his move to Old Trafford. The jury remains out on him and whether he is actually a truly top quality centre half.
Smalling’s statistics show he is good in the air and does have a terrific pass completion rate of 87% but is he a good enough all-round defender?
I must admit I’m not convinced either and personally, there always seems to be a mistake in him and I think there are more reliable defenders out there that Everton should consider.
One of them is the Swansea centre back Alfie Mawson and another is Burnley’s James Tarkowski.
Mawson has had another fine season overall despite playing for one of the Premier League’s weakest teams.
Like his team Mawson struggled for his best form early on this season although Swansea were a solid defensive side, but one lacking goals.
But following the surprise appointment of Carlos Carvahal to replace Paul Clement as Swans boss, he has improved considerably as have the team. Swansea have only lost two of their last 14 games.
He also has an excellent pass completion percentage of 82.1%, which is an increasingly important part of any modern centre back’s game.
Now the Swansea defender has forced his way into the England squad with the World Cup just around the corner.
This is also true of the other player mentioned above, Tarkowski. He has had an outstanding campaign with a Burnley team that have exceeded all expectations.
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The Turf Moor club have climbed into the top seven and stayed there for much of the season after flirting with relegation last term.
Tarkowski and fellow centre back Ben Mee also had the task of replacing another England player, Michael Keane, who of course joined Everton last summer.
Keane has struggled this season for any kind of form let alone the displays that got him the national team call-up and the expensive move to Goodison Park.
Meanwhile Tarkowski has been a revelation at the heart of Burnley’s defence, winning 5.1 aerial duels per game, an outstanding return.
His performances are part of a superb defence that has only conceded 26 goals this season. Only the two Manchester clubs and Tottenham have conceded fewer.
Perhaps too signing another former Burnley defender might make sense for Everton as he could help bring out the best in Keane.
Next: Might injury help Blues?
Looking at all this evidence it seems clear that overall either the Swansea or Burnley player looks a better option for the Blues.