It has been several years now where one of Everton's key needs was to find a long term replacement for Seamus Coleman at right back.
Now, after failed attempts to sign players like Denzel Dumfries and less-than-stellar experiments with a guy like Nathan Patterson, Everton are reportedly interested in adding Milan van Ewijk, who has starred for Coventry City this season in their run to the Championship playoff.
The 24-year-old defender has been at Coventry for two seasons since joining from Heerenveen in the Eredivisie, where he came after two years at ADO Den Haag. On the timeline of his career, it appears he's ready to move on to a new challenge.
The Dutchman has been ever-present for Coventry in his two years there, playing in 49 matches (39 starts) in 2023/24 and the same number, this time with 47 starts, this season. All told, the defender has played over 9800 minutes in two years with the Championship side.
Most of that work has come as a right back, although there has been some positional versatility with Van Ewijk, with him sliding into a more attacking role as a midfielder or wingback.
He's more attack-minded than defensive, and has shown a good ability to make good passes from his fullback position. His six goal contributions (2 goals, 4 assists) indicate that about him, but his xAG of 6.6 suggests that his teammates could have done better with his crosses.
His per-90 totals showcase a player who is good on the ball and with picking out a cross, along with being a good carrier of the ball. His tackling will need some work, something he'll need to clean up if he has any chance at the next level.
Van Ewijk's current boss, and former Everton manager, Frank Lampard had this to say about his player: "He’s an attacking full-back and with all the natural attributes he’s got I think he can get even better as well because there will and are things we work on with him to improve all the time."
Whether that attacking acumen will be good enough for David Moyes to add him remains to be seen, and so much will depend on what Coventry want for him (Transfermarkt has his value at €9 million).
But there's no question this is a position Everton need to fill. It just isn't clear if Van Ewijk is the answer.