We are seeing the emergence of a group of talented young defenders at Everton and one signing the Blues have been linked with that could really help them develop, is PSG centre-back Thaigo Silva.
I’ve said before that I think signing Silva could be justified even for a year or two, if he was available on a free and was genuinely interested in coming to Everton. All a big if.
It’s still unlikely that he will join the Blues in my opinion, especially now the club have no European football to offer, however Carlo Ancelotti’s influence just might help seal the deal.
Anyway his arrival, were it to happen, could have a beneficial impact on the development of the Toffees’ young central defenders, Mason Holgate, Jarrad Branthwaite and Lewis Gibson.
Holgate and Branthwaite have emerged this season and Holgate in particular has impressed and grown in statue as the campaign has progressed.
Branthwaite has only just come into the team in the last few weeks but he has looked mature beyond his years in the past few games. It’s obviously very early days for the teenager, but the indications are that he might well become a very good defender for the next few years.
We haven’t as yet seen Gibson in the first team but he’s been out on loan recently and is considered another promising defensive talent.
Everton have been linked with other central defenders playing in Europe over the past few months, and it maybe that the Blues hierarchy are still focused on those players.
Ancelotti has shown some refreshing willingness to give young players a chance this season and it has brought some tangible rewards. Perhaps that has changed his mind on whether he wants to sign these higher profile players.
On the other hand, with the unexpectedly fast emergence of Branthwaite, the Toffees might be better off bringing in a quality, hugely experienced player like Silva on a free for a couple of years to impart that nous and the subtleties of defending.
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That way too Everton can spend their transfer kitty on other priorities, which should be focused primarily on rebuilding the midfield.
Well I don’t know if that is the plan but Ancelotti does seem to want to being in a bit more experience to what is an overwhelmingly young team, such as Brazilian midfielder Allan.
To be honest, ideally, the Blues could do with having one quality experienced central defender, one midfielder and a forward to give the young players in all these positions the knowledge they need to develop their game.
Those players might be Silva, Napoli player Allan and a forward like Fransesco Caputo of Sassuolo who might be affordable this summer..?
That might be asking a lot, especially in this upcoming window, but if that was possible I think it would help provide that critical, experienced central spine to the team as the young players continue their progress.