Robin Olsen is on loan from AS Roma at Everton
Everton acquired the services of Robin Olsen on loan from AS Roma on summer transfer deadline day to add competition to the goalkeeping position. Jordan Pickford had an underwhelming 2019-20 season and there were rallying cries for a new keeper who could not only act as a backup to Pickford but also replace him if need be.
Pickford’s performances have massively improved, he no longer makes silly mistakes or doesn’t have buttery fingers. The Englishman has also produced some spectacular saves and has a shot saving percentage of 72.2%.
Carlo Ancelotti has rotated his keepers, Olsen and Pickford, and the Italian manager will continue to rotate his keepers when both of them are fit. At the moment, Pickford remains sidelined due to a rib injury and his return date remains unknown.
Olsen has played nine games for Everton so far, keeping two clean sheets and has a save percentage of 65%. The Swede was happy in Merseyside and the Ancelotti was delighted to have Olsen in the ranks. In fact, the club is keen to redeem Olsen permanently and there were all sorts of rumours flying of a part exchange deal with Roma which would see Bernard move to Rome and Everton would receive some cash plus Olsen. Such a move never materialized but the Toffees still wish to sign Olsen permanently.
However, Olsen is considering a return to Roma after a machete gang attack on his house left him and his family shocked. The Swede, his wife and two young kids were at the house when the burglars entered the house and stole a luxury watch with some expensive jewellery.
According to a report from Daily Mail, the 31-year-old is unlikely to extend his stay in Merseyside and will return to Roma. In such a case, Everton may want to look at keepers in the upcoming transfer window.
Here are three options to consider should Robin Olsen leave Everton at the end of the season:
Alex Meret has been linked to Everton
1. Alex Meret
Alex Meret is a familiar name for Evertonians as the club has already been linked to the Italian. Carlo Ancelotti worked with the 24-year-old at Napoli and featured in 37 games under the Italian boss. The Everton manager admires the talent of Meret.
Currently, at Napoli, David Ospina is edging past Meret as Gennaro Gattuso seems to prefer the former Arsenal keeper. The 24-year-old competes with Ospina and could hand in a transfer request should the I Partenopei fail to qualify in a Champions League spot.
Though not in a driving seat, Everton are still in the race for Champions League. Even if the Toffees fail to secure Champions League qualification, the prospect of playing in the Premier League always is appealing to any player.
Meret has kept four clean sheets in 13 Serie A games and has a shot saving percentage of 69.4%. The Italian shot-stopper features in the top five in the table for clean sheet percentage with 33.3%. Meret has excellent instincts and the capability to make quick saves and get his body off the line. At the young age of just 24, Meret has garnered praises for his decision making and ability to keep calm in intense situations. (stats via FBref)
Meret needs to work on his distribution skills and improve his passing. Ancelotti knows him well and can refine him into a keeper capable of reaching the top. The Royal Blues should keep an eye on Meret in the summer.
Alphonse Areola has kept nine clean sheets this season
2. Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Areola is currently on loan at Fulham from PSG. The French keeper has previously spent a season on loan at Real Madrid as well and is struggling to find a place in the Paris team. Scott Parker’s side are lingering on the relegation spots, two points below the safe zone. If the Cottagers fail in the race for Premier League survival, keeping hold of Aerola and other stars on loan would be a tough ask.
The Frenchman has made 93 saves in the Premier League and played every single minute of the league. The 28-year-old is 6th on the table for clean sheets, keeping nine clean sheets in 29 Top Flight games. Fulham’s attacking shortcomings have been one of the main reasons for the club’s relegation fight. Areola has been spectacular when it comes to making saves, having a shot saving percentage of 76.2%.
Areola has been terrific for Parker’s side and has evolved tremendously. Areola has a PSxG-GA of 0.2 per 90 minutes and is second on the table behind Emiliano Martinez. The attribute highlights the ability to stop goals and a positive number means the Frenchman has an above-average ability to stop shots. The PSG man is excellent when it comes to dealing with crosses. (stats via FBref)
Should Robin Olsen depart, Aerola could become a solid candidate. Fulham’s survival status remains questionable and PSG are eventually trying to sign Moise Kean permanently from Everton.
Sergio Romero hasn’t played a single minute this season
3. Sergio Romero
Sergio Romero came extremely close to joining Everton on summer transfer window deadline day only for the move to fail as Manchester United did not sanction the deal. Since Dean Henderson’s return to Old Trafford, Romero has slipped as a third-choice keeper at Manchester United. The Argentine has not featured in a single game for the Red Devils and is likely to leave the club at the end of the season.
At 34, Romero isn’t young who can give you five odd years, unless he has the appetite of Gianluigi Buffon. He comes with a lot of experience and his counsel could eventually help the likes of Jordan Pickford and Joao Virginia.
He can act as a backup and spring up a few appearances as Ancelotti will continue his goalkeeper rotation policy. Romero, due to his age and situation at Manchester United, could be one of the cheapest options. In fact, the former Sampdoria goalkeeper could leave for free as his deal expires in the summer and the club do not activate the option to extend his deal for another year.
The idea behind such a signing would be to allow Virginia to develop without pressurizing him and till the time the young Portuguese is ready to compete with Pickford, Romero would act as the backup keeper. Virginia has been fantastic in the opportunities he’s got this season and seems to have a bright future at Goodison Park if he continues his maturing process at the same pace.
Romero kept 39 clean sheets in 61 games for the Red Devils, an unbelievable clean sheet percentage record of 63.9%. The Argentine has ample Premier League experience and remains away from committing horrendous errors for most of the times.
Olsen leaving would surely hurt Everton a little because the 31-year-old was in perfect shape to compete with Pickford and keep the pressure on him to perform. This was actually working well for the Toffees but should the former Malmo man leave Merseyside, Everton may have to go on keeper hunting again.
Which keeper should Everton target if Robin Olsen returns to Roma?