Everton: 3 soon to be free agents Everton must consider in the summer
Lucas Vazquez is already an Everton target.
1. Lucas Vazquez
The 29 year old will see his contract expire in Madrid this summer and there seem to be no finalization of a new deal. Vazquez currently pockets €3 million per season and expects a raise for his diligent performances in the White for the last few years. He is trusted by Zinedine Zidane but Los Blancos are not ready to offer an increment in the salary.
Vazquez has attracted attention from Leeds United as well as two Serie A giants. Milan and Napoli have been credited with an interest and a four way scramble possible in the summer. The Toffees can attempt to lure the Spaniard to Goodison Park.
The right winger has a reputation for being a hard worker on and off the ball. Vazquez is a quality crosser of the ball, averaging 3.7 crosses per 90 minutes. The 29 year old possesses fine short passing skills too and maintains an impressive 84% passing accuracy in La Liga. His goal and assist tally (two goals and three assists in 18 La Liga games) may deceive you but his quality as a winger can never be questioned.
Hot. Ben Godfrey is the Jack of all trades in the Everton defence. light
Vazquez is also capable of putting in a shift at right back as he has done for Real Madrid when Dani Carvajal has been injured. His defensive stats also catch your attention as he registers 3.44 tackles per 90 minutes and has a tackle success rate of 70% in the Spanish first division.
He doesn’t have extraordinary numbers for interceptions or blocks but being a winger by trade, his defensive actions are far more impressive and go onto show his industrious nature. (stats via FBref)
The three time Champions League winner will most likely discontinue at Madrid and look for greener pastures. Presuming that Everton manages to secure European qualification for next season, the experience of Vazquez at the biggest of the European stage could help out some of the lesser experienced players in the Everton roster.