Everton target Sarr is a gamble similar to Richarlison

The summer transfer rumours are ramping up and Everton are being linked as usual with a number of targets, among them Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

Now after Watford’s relegation, Everton are one of a number of Premier League clubs heavily associated with a possible move for the Senegal international who a while ago was considered hot property and had been linked with several clubs, including Liverpool.

The 24-year-old hasn’t had a great last season with the Hornets, however he netted five times as part of a very poor and struggling Watford team.

This Hornets side though took four points off the Blues’, which included that embarrasing 5-2 thumping at Goodison Park. Although to be honest, given how dreadfully poor Everton were so often this past season, it’s maybe not such a huge achievement!

Defeat that afternoon was very sobering and for me started the decline that almost ended the Toffees’ near seventy year stay in England’s top flight.

A few seaons back, Sarr was ranked as one of the hottest young talents in the Premier League as he enjoyed his best campaign in the English top flight in 2019-20.

Most memorably he scored twice as Watford beat Liverpool 3-0 to end their hopes of setting a new unbeaten run since the start of a season and at least for a moment derailed them as they were runnning away with the Premier League title.

Since then he and the Hornets have been relegated and then returned to the Premier League after a season back in the Championship when he scored thirteen times.

The Senegal forward hasn’t though kicked on in the way that might have been expected of him considering his talent and promise, and this campaign has seen a disappointing return in terms of the bald numbers anyway.

So, the question is would it make sense for the Blues’ to sign Sarr?

Looking at the stats the answer would probably be no, especially as Watford are asking for around £30 million, which is a steep fee for a still relatively unproven player in Premier League terms anyway.

However, with younger players (and Sarr is still relatively young at 24) it’s sometimes difficult to assess whether they are going to go on and become a top performing player, based just on early career statistics.

So, ultimately it’s a gamble and one that likely has to be based on instinct as much as clear evidence. Sarr certainly possesses plenty of pace and is a strong, powerful player who also seems to be a good finisher, all things I think Everton certainly need more of. 

In some ways it’s a little like the decision the Toffees’ made when they signed Richarlison from the same club, Watford, back in summer 2018.

The Brazilian was a bit younger than Sarr and he was even more raw a prospect when new Everton Director of Football Marcel Brands and boss Marco Silva – who had just joined from the Hornets – spent £50 million to bring him to Merseyside.

While Richy has not always been the most consistent of performers, especially early on in his career, his ability and work rate have always been evident and few Blues’ fans would say its not been a good move overall.

And, the Brazilian has certainly proved his worth in the last few weeks and months as his effort on the cause and the goals he has scored have proved a key factor in keeping the team up.

With rumours constantly circulating that Richarlison is a target for various other clubs including Real Madrid, and the likelyhood that he could leave Everton seeming more and more possible, might Sarr end up actually being a replacement for his predecessor at Vicarage Road?

We will presumably see soon whether trying to sign Sarr is a similar gamble current boss Frank Lampard and Director of Football Kevin Thelwell are prepared to make.