Is Emmanual Dennis the right player for Everton

Watford player Emmanual Dennis is being strongly linked with Everton, so is the Hornets forward a good potential signing?

Dennis had a solid enough campaign for Watford last season and his goal tally of ten matched the best return from an Everton player who of course came to Merseyside from the same club: Richarlison.

And it is the Brazilian whose future is closely tied up with any potential move by the Toffees’ for another forward like Dennis.

Richarlison seems almost certain to leave Goodison Park this summer with constant rumours now circulating of possible destinations, especially clubs in London.

Tottenham and Chelsea appear to be leading the race for the former Watford player who signed for the Blues in 2018.

Assuming Richarlison does leave, Everton will obviously need to replace him and there have already been many reports and rumours of various potential candidates to do so. Dennis is the latest of them.

The Nigerian is again like so many modern day players someone who doesn’t have an obviously first-choice or set position and a very versatile forward and midfielder who can play left, right and centrally.

According to Whoscored.com, his best position in terms of productivity is playing wide on the left. In those positions, he netted four times and provided three of his six assists.

Playing there would make him pretty much a direct replacement for Richarlison who has often played in that wider left-sided attacking position for the Toffees’.

Dennis also appears to be a good defensive player who could provide some of that workrate that the Brazilian has given this team and help Frank Lampard’s side play a pressing game.

I recognise many supporters might want the Blues to be looking at players who haven’t just been relegated from the Premier League for obvious reasons!

And, having signed one of them, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Everton should perhaps be looking further afield for new talent.

However, I reckon Dennis might actually represent a good shout given the fact he’s 24, the right sort of age, he can operate in several positions and because of his relatively good figures despite playing in a very poor team.

If Watford are willing to sell, and they will almost certainly have to be if there’s serious interest in their players now they have been relegated, he could be a solid signing who can come in and provide goals, assists, and defensive support.

But, whether or not Everton do want to make a move for Dennis or another of the forwards linked to the club may well depend on how quickly Richarlison’s prospective move takes.  We wait and see for developments.