This summer feels much different to Evertonian's than past ones, and for good reason. The club has brought in three players, sold two, and seem to have a real plan to improve the team before the next Premier League campaign begins.
This sentiment has continued with reporting of Everton's interest in Jaden Philogene, a fantastic young winger who balled out last season in the Championship for Hull City. Philogene is a super technical player who can attack defenders with dribbling or speed or both and fire in crosses with both feet.
Everton have made an enquiry to Hull City for 22 year old Jayden Philogene 🔵
— The Bobble (@ElBobble) June 28, 2024
The Aston Villa academy product netted 12 goals and six assists this past year in 32 matches. He created 52 chances (87th percentile) and completed 87 dribbles (97th percentile) with 197 touches in the opposition box (95th percentile).
Everton are interested in a £16m move for Hull City's Jaden Philogene 🔵 pic.twitter.com/UvIqFRvenb
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 28, 2024
These numbers are quite good while adding his strong defensive work rate too and he looks to be a perfect fit for Sean Dyche's system and the areas Everton needs to improve.
The club's current winger depth sits at Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison. Harrison returns for a second season on loan from Leeds and McNeil scored just three times last season.
At just 22 years old, Philogene can be both a short and long-term solution to Everton's attacking struggles and be a crucial piece in a new ownership regime. This sensible and buttoned-up transfer work is a new feeling around the club, which is honestly coming to surprise many Everton supporters.
Everton may face competition for the young player's services, including global giants Barcelona and fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
There should still be confidence for Everton to have a shot at acquiring Philogene given the desire from Yakuba Minteh to join the club.
Another young winger, Minteh is still reportedly interested in joining Everton despite Newcastle receiving proposals from Olympique Lyon. Both players offer a similar profile: quick, elusive, young attackers willing to work defensively.
Quick comparison between Philogene and Minteh. They are right and left footed respectively, so that's a consideration, but both to me are also defensively responsible and have good physical profiles, which are important to Dyche and the #Everton recruitment team. pic.twitter.com/Npg9nPWGfs
— Ryan Williams (@RyanSoccerAA) June 28, 2024
Time will tell if Everton can separate themselves in this race, but in the end the plan from the club is one the fanbase can get behind to start to rebuild trust between the two.