Is Centonze the answer at right-back as Everton link emerges

A new possibility at right-back has emerged with media reports that Everton are looking at Fabien Centonze as the search for a new player in that position continues.

The endless issue of will and when Everton ever get a player in to replace the obviously ageing and injury-prone Seamus Coleman, has been dragging on for ages.

There have so many full-backs linked with the Toffees’ over past transfer windows that it seems as though almost everyone playing in that position in Europe has been mentioned as a possible target for the Blues.

Last summer with financial contraints biting and then the deadline day saga surrounding Ainsley Maitland-Niles, meant again the club failed to solve this problem.

And, so Everton went into the new season with Coleman and young academy product Jonjo Kenny in the position, who actually had a decent game at Chelsea on Thursday night.

And then, when an unexpected distraction and problem emerged this season in the other full-back position as Lucas Digne fell out with Rafa Benitez, the club then move in near record-breaking time to sign a young left-back Vitaly Mykolenko.

Well, he hasn’t actually put pen to paper yet but all the indications are that this deal is close to happening so putting the interminable and protracted issues over a new right-back, in perspective.

Is this actually a reflection of the consequences of Marcel Brands leaving a few weeks ago? Now, Benitez has more power and presumably is going to be the decisive voice, perhaps the only voice in player transfers, with a direct line to Farhad Moshiri.

So, does this mean that the process of Everton identifying and moving to sign new players has become a lot more streamlined?

I understand that it’s complicated these days to get everything sorted and all the paperwork in line, but one of the bugbears that have surfaced at times is that it often seems that this club take longer than others to get deals for new players over the line. Might that now be changing?

Well, we could see if that is the case when the window opens in a few weeks time. And, now another right-back has emerged as a new potential target in January and that is Metz defender Fabien Centonze.

The 25-year-old is apparently on the club’s radar and has been in excellent form in a struggling Ligue 1 outfit and has netted four times already this season from the right-back/midfield positions.

Given that, he’s obviously a very good attacking player but he also has plenty of solid defensive attributes as well according to Whoscored.com.

Football Insider also claim Everton will rival Premier League rivals Newcastle United for the signature of former Tottenham full-back Kieran Trippier.

The Eangland international is looking to leave Spain and return home after a successful spell in La Liga at Atletico Madrid. This one seems far less likely that any possible move for Centonze.

The usual caveats apply and of course to all these rumours and we have no idea if indeed Centonze is in the thoughts of Benitez as he prepares for the transfer window, which it now seems certain he will be taking charge of.