Williams Departs for Stoke as Everton Step Up Rojo Chase
By Tom Power
One centre-back could replace another as defensive merry-go-round seemingly takes effect
Everton have allowed Ashley Williams to complete his season-long loan switch to Stoke City.
We reported yesterday that the Wales international was the subject of interest from the Championship side after he was told he had no future under Marco Silva.
And Williams has elected to end his Goodison Park career by joining the Potters for the 2018/19 campaign on loan, with the club’s official site revealing as much.
That has freed up a space in Everton’s senior ranks for a new centre-back, with Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo now the favourite to join the Blues under Silva.
Everton had hoped to secure the signing of Barcelona’s Yerry Mina, given their long chase for the Colombian this summer.
However, the clubs cannot agree on a fee for him and, according to reports elsewhere, United themselves are thought to have agreed personal terms with Barcelona for Mina’s services.
Ironically, Mina’s potential arrival at Old Trafford would ensure that Rojo can depart and, in a bizarre transfer twist, could see him head down the M62 to join the Toffees.
Williams only has 12 months left on his contract at Everton, and will surely leave the club on a free transfer next summer with his future on Merseyside effectively decided on Thursday.
The 33-year-old, alongside three of his former teammates, had been told to train away from the first-team squad by Silva.
The 41-year-old needs to cull more stars from his ranks and, after failing to impress him during pre-season, Williams was one of those casualties.
He turned out 70 times for Everton across his two seasons in L4, but hadn’t featured since he was sent off in March’s 2-1 loss to Burnley.
Rojo has apparently been told he can leave United after failing to impress under Jose Mourinho.
The 28-year-old Argentina international may up sticks and head to Everton to reignite his career.
The Blues need a new centre-half to replace Williams, but Evertonians are unsure if Rojo is the right man to bring in.
Related Story. Everton Quartet Told to Train Away from First Team as Futures Hang in the Balance. light
The defender has a wealth of experience and a winner’s mentality, but his lack of concentration at times and rashness in the tackle mean he could be a liability waiting to happen.