Everton must replace £27 million flop with 44 cap international star
Everton must replace Cenk Tosun with Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite.
Everton’s squad depth has been heavily exposed in the last couple of matches. Injuries and suspensions to key players had forced Carlo Ancelotti to use his second string players and the results have been disheartening. The three back to back losses scream out for Everton to have a stronger and impactful bench.
Speaking of the bench strength, it is worth highlighting that the striker department also lacks options. The high flying Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not allowed the Toffees to feel the absence of another outright striker in the roster.
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When Moise Kean left on loan, questions were raised on who would act as a backup to DCL. No deadline day signing meant that Ancelotti was set to trust Cenk Tosun with the responsibility. However, his return and recent cameo performances suggest that Everton may have made a mistake.
Even if we put the rustiness due to the lengthy lay off aside, Tosun looks nowhere close to be the backup that Everton wants. With the January transfer window approaching, the Toffees must look to offload Tosun and bring in another striker.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona want to sell Martin Braithwaite and a number of players to generate funds for Memphis Depay’s arrival. The Toffees and David Moyes’ West Ham United are interested in the Denmark International’s services.
Barcelona maintains a good relationship with the Royal Blues after the recent transfers of Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes, which could possibly give the Merseysiders an edge over the Hammers. Tosun simply isn’t good enough for being a backup especially when Everton have ambitions of reaching Europe.
Braithwaite is a much better option than Tosun. The 29 year old possesses impressive pace which is a key trait for strikers surviving in the Premier League and is very direct. Tosun has been given plenty of chances but he’s failed to convince that he’s capable of replicating his Super Lig form in the Premier League.
It is very important to have a deputy striker who is actually capable of scoring goals and making impact on a game coming off the bench. Somehow, the £27 million Turk lacks that character. Braithwaite on the other hand has produced done well by remaining in close proximity to the likes of Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and previously Luis Suarez.
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With Barcelona wanting to sell, negotiations won’t be a hassle and the Toffees may be able to get their man for a relatively cheap price than some other available striker targets.