Do Everton need new striker
After Sunday’s game at the Emirates when Everton went down 3-2 to Arsenal, one issue that resurfaced was whether the Blues do still need to invest in another proven goalscorer.
This was a problem that was reignited at the weekend. Although the Toffees created good chances late on to win the match, they couldn’t take them and Everton had to accept another frustrating defeat away to one of the ‘big clubs’ where they have too often failed.
While both Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have shown significant improvement under Carlo Ancelotti, neither could convert those opportunities that fell to them late on Sunday.
This was combined with a general wastefulness in front of goal, (particularly from Alex Iwobi), and the team generally seemed to lack the composure to find a way to finish off the Gunners.
It’s a continuing problem that the Blues have to overcome as they seek to take the next steps forward in their development. To win these sorts of games its crucial for the Toffees to start taking chances in such matches.
So is there a case for Everton to seek out and sign another centre-forward during this summer’s transfer window?
This is a difficult question to answer. Both the current pair of Blues strikers are 22-years-old and so in theory have their best years ahead of them as they mature.
They have both shown that improvement over recent weeks I previously mentioned, but there are still nagging doubts about whether they are genuinely top class and of the calibre to match the best in the Premier League.
To some extent of course that is something that we won’t know until both have had the time to develop fully over the coming seasons.
Then there is the issue of last summer’s signing Moise Kean. The 19-year-old forward has yet to make any real impact on the team since joining, despite his fellow Italian’s arrival as manager.
Kean has undoubted talent. but again he still a work in progress. While I think there is much more to come from him, it’s difficult to see him suddenly scoring 20-25 goals a season yet, even if he does get a sustained run in the team.
That leads us to the question of whether there might be a short-term striking solution that can bridge the gap between this potential and it being realised?
One player I thought Everton might have considered was the Chelsea centre-forward Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has plenty of experience and proven quality and could provide the goals and mentoring to help develop the youthful Blues forwards.
It’s true he hasn’t scored much on the Premier League this season, but then he’s hardly played under Frank Lampard. In contrast, for his national team he’s been prolific when given the opportunity to start regularly.
However Giroud is likely to move abroad with Italy his probable destination. Also anyway his transfer fee would I suspect be extortionate.
Moving to the German Bundesliga one player who might fit this bill is the Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric. The Croatian player is a good finisher and can also be very effective playing wide on the right too.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Kramaric is under 30, which would be an issue for the Toffees brains trust. But I would imagine given his age and the fact he isn’t playing for a big club, he would be very affordable and so wouldn’t require spending a big fee.
Finally is a player who is having a fine season in France’s Ligue 1, Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder. The Frenchman is slightly older at 29, and is another very good attacking player who can create and score plenty of goals at centre-forward.
Ben Yedder might be a more expensive option as he is playing for a more glamorous club in Monaco than someone like Ilicic.
If it is possible for the club to secure a player like these for a reasonable fee, (less than £25 million say), then I would think it might be a worthwhile punt. This would provide some extra proven goal scoring, while giving further time for the Blues young strikers to continue developing.