Everton should think twice before pursuing £100k per week attacker

Everton have been in pursuit of a midfielder who can operate as a deep lying playmaker. The Toffees are also looking to solve their creativity issues which have seen them get linked to someone like Hakim Ziyech.

Journalist Dean Jones spoke to Give Me Sport stating that ZIyech could leave Chelsea in search of a new club and Frank Lampard will be interested in the Morrocan if he is available.

"The changes at Chelsea are likely to lead to Ziyech looking for a new club, and Everton are one side keeping an eye on the terms around any exit.Generally, Frank Lampard is being linked with all the homegrown players from Chelsea, but I’ve been told he’ll be interested in Ziyech too if the player is keen to stay in the Premier League. (Dean Jones via Give Me Sport)"

The Toffees will need a creative midfielder, who can create chances for the attackers to feed on. Richarlison is touted to leave and even though Everton does not want to be pressured into the sale, it is likely that the only way the Toffees can carry out their summer transfer business is through selling one of their prized assets.

Everton must not pursue Hakim Ziyech

If Richarlison is sold, Everton should receive a figure between £50 and £70 million for their star forward and that money can be spent revitalizing their roster. Ziyech is a potential option but would not fit well with the team’s future plans.

Ziyech is a Moroccan attacking midfielder who plays for Chelsea. He has played his best football in the Netherlands for Ajax where he scored over 35 goals in his four seasons with the club. Ziyech has not been his usual self since joining Chelsea, only netting 14 goals in his two seasons since transferring. The Moroccan is now knocking on the door of 30 and it seems that this kind of transfer may not benefit Everton.

Everton should avoid pursuing Ziyech because his value is decreasing every year moving forward. The Toffees would have to spend a large sum of money, likely £30 million, to bring him in. Lampard’s squad is in a rebuilding phase so there is no reason he shouldn’t be targeting young prospects to fuel the future. Ziyech is also an injury-prone player so there is no guarantee he would even stay on the pitch frequently for his club.

The most recent injury for Ziyech was just this February when he injured his Achilles tendon. He missed nine days and three matches due to this injury and it was his fourth time being sidelined in just two seasons. Niggles and knocks have often caused him to miss games, restricting him from getting a clean run of games.

This is the sort of transfer that Everton must stay away from. The Royal Blues must create a self sustaining model and a lot of it will depend on the players who have a fair resale value. With Ziyech being 29, he will be demanding a hefty contract and will not have a competent resale value.

There are much better options to pursue including Connor Gallagher. These are players that still have a lot of football left and do not have serious injury risks.

Should the Toffees consider signing Hakim Ziyech?