The January transfer window is still two months away but the background work has already begun as teams look to strengthen their sides. Everton are also trying to improve areas where they have lacked so far and are scouting the market for reinforcing the squad. The name of Robin Gosens has surfaced from reports in Italy.
Everton made major repairs to the defence, signing James Tarkowski on a free transfer and acquiring Conor Coady and Ruben Vinagre on loans. Frank Lampard’s first choice at left back has been Vitaliy Mykolenko. The Ukrainian has had turbulent times in terms of performances but has backed himself up and performed well in recent games. Mykolenko is defensively sound and has rarely made mistakes on the defensive front but he offers very little when going forward.
The cause of his performance being substandard in games against Tottenham and Newcastle was there wasn’t enough attacking bite from him when going forward. In the Crystal Palace game, Mykolenko was one of the best performers, making his presence felt in both the halves.
On the other hand, Mykolenko’s deputy, Vinagre has remained on the fringes of the squad. Vinagre has played just three games so far. It seems Everton are trying to bring in another wing back to add competition at the left back/left wing back position.
Everton enquire about Robin Gosens
According to Tutto Mercato Web, Inter Milan full back Gosens has admirers across Europe. Everton have also joined the long list of clubs who are keen on the German and have enquired about the full back.
Bayer Leverkusen tried to sign Gosens last summer but the offer put on the table wasn’t enough. Gosens signed for Inter in January 2022 from Atalanta on loan with an obligation to buy for £25 million. Since switching from La Dea to Nerazzurri, Gosens’ playing time has dramatically reduced. This season, Gosens has just started one Serie A game and come on as a substitute in eight games, playing a total of 181 minutes.
Gosens has looked like a shadow of himself at Inter and the Italian club would be open to an exit as early as January. Bayer Leverkusen could reopen the doors for Gosens but it is Everton who are the latest club to make enquiries about the 28 year old. Gosens’ agent was in attendance at the Inter Milan – Bayern Munich game, to potentially talk to Leverkusen and other German clubs.
Lampard has switched between a back four and a back five from time to time, opposition to opposition. Heavily attack-minded Gosens is capable of playing as a left wing back as well as left back but is much more comfortable playing as a wing back.
Everton might want to bring in an attacking full back to add competition to Mykolenko and give Lampard flexibility in selection.
Should Everton sign Robin Gosens?