Everton may need to reinforce the right wing in the transfer window
Ever since the summer transfer window, Everton have been rumoured to sign multiple different right-wingers, and it looks like this could be the transfer window where Carlo Ancelotti signs a right-winger to complete his front three. The Toffees have been a bit dry in the right-wing position with only James Rodriguez and Alex Iwobi, who can play the position at a good standard.
Ancelotti likes to play very fluidly with his sides, with players who can play multiple roles in multiple formations are players the Italian likes the most; take a look at Iwobi and Ben Godfrey, two players who Ancelotti has given a lot of praise due to their versatility.
So it’s safe to say that he will more than likely look for a player who can offer some versatility while also being good enough to play at a European level for this new, highly ambitious Everton side.
Here are three players Everton could sign to play right-wing:
Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey has been a player on the radar of some of the biggest clubs in Europe for a few years now ever since his fantastic 17/18 season for Leverkusen where he scored nine goals and six assists, but ever since then, Bailey had a bit of a fall off, scoring five goals in each of the next two seasons and never been able to eclipse those six assists, but this season he’s gotten back to his best.
At 23-years old, Bailey still has his best years ahead of him, which is scary considering the Jamaican winger already has 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions, looking to get double digits in both goals and assists, which is something that could really help the Toffees. Bailey’s versatility would also be perfect for a Carlo Ancelotti side, with the winger playing in six different positions since the start of the season in various formations, something which you’d expect from a Peter Bosz side.
Bailey currently averages a 7.25 in the Bundesliga, making him the second-best right-winger in the Bundesliga, based on average rating, only behind England and Dortmund superstar Jadon Sancho. He’s a complete package, being able to take people on in the dribble or play an important pass to get an assist; his 2.6 dribbles per game show this, along with his 1.6 key passes.
His versatility can also translate in the way he plays; Bailey is able to play as a stereotypical winger, hugging the touchline and playing crosses into the box, or he can play as an inside forward, cutting inside and shooting on his stronger left foot, similar to a player like Arjen Robben.
He’s also interested in playing for an English club. Bailey himself said: “Fundamentally, my dream has always been, and still is, to play in England,” so it’s clear that the winger wants to play in England, and with the rumours saying that Leverkusen would be looking for at least £35 million, an amount which could end up being a steal for Everton.
Ismaila Sarr has 8 goals and 9 assists for Watford
Ismaila Sarr
A player who really caught the eye last season in Watford’s 3-0 thrashing of Champion’s Liverpool, with the 23-year old grabbing two goals to give Watford a win which could’ve helped keep them up if they would’ve stuck with Nigel Pearson.
A few teams tried to take the winger from a relegated Watford side, but the club were able to convince him that they would get promoted, something that looked quite shaky until now. Watford have managed to recover from a bad stint and put themselves back in the promotion race, with the Hornets currently sat third in the Championship.
If Watford are not automatically promoted and enter the play-offs, it could be perfect for Everton, as we’ve seen promotion favourites lose in the play-offs with Brentford providing the perfect example last year, and if the Hornets are not promoted in the first time of asking, then it’s almost a guarantee that Sarr will be packing his bags and leaving Hertfordshire.
The Senegalese winger is currently valued at £18 million, an amount will at least have to be doubled if Watford are promoted, but if they don’t, this could be a huge bargain for the Toffees. Ben Godfrey’s success could lead Everton to start looking into the Championship for Premier League level talent for cheaper than the usual market value.
Sarr currently has eight goals and nine assists for Watford, currently averaging a 7.07 rating and being the focal point of the Hornet’s attack. For Everton, he’d be the third man in the front three, a role he could play effectively since all the pressure won’t be on him.
The only problem with Sarr is he’s not the best crosser, he’s able to spot great short passes and is a fantastic dribbler, but his passing range isn’t the best, which means Everton would have to rely on hopeful new signing Max Aarons to play the crosses into the box.
Sarr, similarly to Bailey, has played in six different positions for Watford this season, with the winger also able to play upfront as a striker or out on the left, making him a great asset for the Toffees. His 1.9 dribbles per game could also be very useful; with James preferring to take the ball and play quick passes, it would be beneficial to have players on the wing who are great dribblers and can beat their man.
Pedro Gonçalves is capable of playing in a number of positions.
Pedro Gonçalves
This one is a bit out there, especially considering that Pedro Gonçalves has been played as mainly an attacking midfielder for Sporting this year, but his main position (According to TransferMarkt) is a right-winger, and that already shows his versatility. If James Rodriguez continues to have injury problems, having Gonçalves who is being called ‘the next Bruno Fernandes, ‘ slide into that number 10 role when James is injured would be a fantastic replacement for an inconsistent Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Gonçalves has been phenomenal for Sporting in the Liga NOS, with 14 goals and two assists for the Lions in only 18 appearances, with his goal-scoring ability being the reason he’s being compared to Manchester United’s Portuguese magician.
Arsenal fans will recognise Gonçalves’ fantastic free-kick in their second leg of the Europa League tie, where the 22-year old perfectly placed in the top corner out of Bernd Leno’s reach to tie the game up for Sporting.
Gonçalves has a very similar skillset to Fernandes, but due to his natural position being on the right-wing, he’d have to play more like a younger Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, where he can create opportunities from the wing with his dribbling ability.
One beneficial asset that Gonçalves could use at Everton is his long-range shooting, the winger will be able to cut inside, and because defenders will more than likely stick to Dominic Calvert-Lewin to avoid a headed goal, this will give Gonçalves the space to show his shooting range with an absolute rocket from the edge of the box.
Gonçalves is only valued at around £13.5 million on TransferMarkt, but Sporting have a release clause of €60 million (£53 million), which can protect the ultra-talented winger from leaving the José Alvalade Stadium unless it’s for big money. This makes a move unlikely, but if Everton can work something out with Sporting, this would be an inspiring signing for the project taking place at Goodison Park.