We are into the last week of the January transfer window, giving one last chance to the clubs to repair and improve the squad for this season. Everton have made it crystal clear that they won’t jump into the window to buy any players despite being linked to a long list of players. From the previous records, Everton’s dormancy in the winter transfer window is not a surprise.
A few areas will need strengthening but summer is the time to make such adjustments as a bigger pool of players are available and perhaps if the Toffees manage to secure European football, there could be bigger names open to a move to Goodison Park.
However, departures from the club are still mooted. Everton academy graduate Jonjoe Kenny continues to be a target for Burnley. According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, the Clarets are hopeful of signing Kenny before the end of the January transfer window.
ALK Capital completed the £170 million takeover of Burnley in December. There was hope that the new owners could loosen their pockets and allow manager Sean Dyche to bring reinforcements to the squad. Dyche has built a strong side with minimum resources and established a typical character and style at Burnley.
Could Everton offload Jonjoe Kenny?
Kenny has struggled for game time at Everton this season, registering just 313 minutes of football. He returned to Goodison Park after a fruitful loan spell at Schalke 04 where he exhibited signs of development and maturity. The lack of playing time for the 23 year old suggests that he is not entirely trusted by Carlo Ancelotti. When Seamus Coleman got injured, the Italian boss deployed Mason Holgate instead of a regular right back Kenny, providing further proof that he remains a fringe player.
The Toffees are in search of a successor to Coleman with links to Max Aarons and Zeki Celik making regular headlines. Everton could possibly hope to sell the Englishman and reinvest the money in bringing another right back in the summer.
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Burnley’s right back department houses Matthew Lowton and Phil Bardsley. Dyche is eager to bring young blood to the club considering Lowton (31) and Bardsley (35) are in the final phases of their careers. Should a deal take place, Kenny is almost guaranteed to have regular minutes at Turf Moor.
Is Jonjoe Kenny the Burnley type of signing?
Burnley’s typical trait of always defending in a low block requires the defenders to be robust and strictly aligning with the defensive line. Kenny, on the other hand, earned a reputation of making attacking runs during his time at Schalke.
He possesses neat defending skills but always is on the look out to combine with players, make overlapping runs and drive forward. One thing that Kenny would bring is his ability to pick out long passes.
He won’t instantly repair a leaky rearguard but is hardworking and disciplined enough to cut down opposition attacks from his side. Burnley will need to move fast or they face the risk of being caught out by time as only six days remain in the January transfer window.