Everton: Recent transfer links suggest Frank Lampard targeting major overhaul in one area
Everton are in a precarious position, lingering just above the relegation zone. The recent win against Manchester United did relieve some pressure but the guard can’t let down in the remaining eight games. The defence has been heavily underwhelming and unimpressive, especially the central defence.
Everton have chopped and changed their centre back pairing either because of poor performances or because of injuries. Mason Holgate and Michael Keane have often not performed to the desired level which has prompted the idea of Everton offloading them this summer. Even Yerry Mina, who even though has been far more reliable than the duo of Keane and Holgate, could be sold, owing to the injury concerns and poor match fitness.
The Colombian has just played 10 Premier League games this season and has missed a large part of the campaign due to a hamstring issue. Holgate was rumoured to be on Brighton’s shortlist as they looked to replace Dan Burn who left for Newcastle United in January.
Perhaps, only Ben Godfrey and Jarrad Branthwaite remain in Frank Lampard’s plans. The Everton defence has let the team down on several occasions, making costly errors, gifting goals to opposition on the plate and often looking disjointed.
Is Everton planning a central defence overhaul?
Everton need to save themselves from relegation. If they manage to stay up, Lampard is likely to overhaul the central defence. The Toffees have been recently linked to a number of central defenders, whether they manage to sign them or not is a different matter altogether.
Burnley defender James Tarkowski is supposedly a player that interests Lampard. Everton are in the race to sign the 29 year old who will become a free agent this summer. Long time target, Gleison Bremer has also remerged in the papers as a transfer target for a number of European sides.
Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich have been linked with the Brazilian’s asking price soaring over €50 million as per Gazzetta Dello Sport. It is highly unlikely that the Merseysiders can beat the big fishes in Europe to his signature but this does further indicate that Lampard is looking to bolster the defence.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s central defender Mykola Matvienko has emerged as a possible target. The player is said to be in talks with Brentford but Everton have also been deemed as a possible destination. The Ukrainian international can operate as a left back making such a signing even more attractive.
A few days ago, 19 year old Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was also being watched by Everton. The Chelsea defender is on loan at Huddersfield Town. Thomas Tuchel will make a decision on his future in the summer and if Chelsea decide to cash in on the youngster, Everton should be in the mix.
The recent transfer links suggest that the Toffees are trying to sign a centre back and given the current crop of available central defenders, Everton are in desperate need of an upgrade. However, the transfer activity in the summer heavily depends on whether Everton manages to survive the relegation battle.
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