£22.5 million Everton target shines on international duty showing exactly what Everton need
Everton were recently linked to Oleksandr Zinchenko with the Toffees being reportedly offered the Ukrainian this summer. The 25 year old capped off a brilliant season with Manchester City, winning the Premier League on the final day of the league season.
In the final game against Villa, Zinchenko came on in the second half and was a key player in turning around the two goal deficit. The 25 year old has since been linked with a Manchester City exit with the latest reports suggesting that Everton and Newcastle United have been offered Zinchenko.
Last night Ukraine took on Scotland in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A win against the Scots would have set up the final with Wales. After what the Ukrainians have been through in the last four months, the national side wanted to win it for their people and unify them amid uncertain times.
Ukraine produced a brave display winning 3-1 against the Scots and the architect of Ukraine’s win was none other than Zinchenko. The Manchester City man operated from central midfield and was the nucleus of the Ukrainian team. Zinchenko assisted the third goal and most of the play passed through him.
Everton wants to strengthen their midfield through the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko
He had the second most touches on the ball (86) and made 59 successful passes maintain a 87% accuracy. In attack, Zinchenko threaded two accurate long balls while completing two out of three dribbles. He made three key passes throughout the game and created two big goalscoring chances.
Defensively too, the Ukraine international was splendid. He made eight recoveries and one clearance while maintaining a tackle success rate of 75%. Last night’s performance just goes on to show how supremely talented and well-drilled Zincheko is. This is what exactly Everton needs from a midfielder.
Although the 25 year old largely operates as a left back for the club, he’s the bedrock of the Ukraine midfield. The Toffees wouldn’t be signing Zinchenko to compete with Vitaliy Mykolenko but to refresh the core of the midfield. He’s the No.8 that Everton have been long in search of, capable of threading pin point passes and creating space and chances going forward.
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Mykolenko is well settled at left back, so Zinchenko won’t be usurping his seat at the table instead, the former Ufa player will be offering Everton a different profile in the midfield. People often fail to realize and recognize how brilliant of a football brain Zinchenko is as he is surrounded by other worldly stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva at the club level.
Everton’s midfield is porous and needs a reliable holding midfielder and a No.8 who can carry the ball. Zinchenko is that man. As an additional bonus, he can operate at left back too, if Mykolenko is unavailable.
Perhaps, Mykolenko can influence Zinchenko to join Everton. The Ukraine captain is a durable commodity that Everton shouldn’t miss out on. For long, he’s been Manchester City’s utility man, operating as a left back but at Everton, he’ll be far more comfortable in operating in his desired position of central midfield.
Next. Everton and Newcastle to battle for £20m free agent as five club battle trims down to two. dark
Should the Toffees sign Oleksandr Zinchenko?