Everton Football Club have enjoyed a steady renaissance since Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment before Christmas. After years of failed recruitment and managerial appointments, the club have successfully managed to persuade of one of football’s most decorated coaches to revive their attempts to drive the club amongst the elite domestically and in Europe.
Ever since Ancelotti’s appointment, the club have racked up 30 points from a possible 63 (8 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats) in 21 games. A tally that represents considerable improvements after their dour and laboured showings under predecessor Marco Silva.
Considering Ancelotti’s managerial record and status, major adjustments and an injection in confidence and performance were always guaranteed. Everton have indeed looked a more organised, sturdy and potent force with the Italian switching to a customary 4-4-2 setup which has allowed Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin more responsibility and freedom up front, and also a significant shift in solidarity within the defence. Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson have certainly added bite and efficiency in the middle. However, Ancelotti’s wide options have flattered to decieve so far. Bernard, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott are his only options, and in all fairness aren’t up to the required level to take Everton’s game up a notch.
There are much pressing concerns within the team, despite Carlo Ancelotti’s immediate impact. Their form heading towards the end of the Premier League campaign exposed their frailties, especially in their attacking play.
It’s clear Everton are in need of some creative reinforcements this summer, and Ancelotti is reportedly going to be backed in the transfer market despite the financial implications from the coronavirus.
So, who could Ancelotti turn to this summer and what could they offer the club going forward?
Here are some potential low cost, low-risk options for the Italian coach to consider:
Todd Cantwell, Norwich City
Despite Norwich’s demotion to the Premier League, a record fifth time, the club still have a lot to shout about, and that’s been the emergence of some of their remarkably gifted young talents in their squad.
Emi Buendia, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis and Ben Godfrey have formed the spine of a promising and exuberant side, despite their struggles. Though, one player who will be high on few list of targets amongst Premier League top-flight clubs this summer is, Todd Cantwell.
Norwich have played some scintilating football at times this season, and Cantwell has been central to that. Pressing from the front, jinky feet, an array of technical qualities and a personality and character that will indeed take him very far.
Todd Cantwell is an exciting talent and the 22-year-old could potentially thrive under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti. 6 goals and 2 assists exemplifies a decent first season in the Premier League, and there is still much for him to achieve in the top-flight. A move to Everton could prove the perfect step up for him, while Ancelotti could benefit much from Cantwell’s enthusiasm, character and willingness to improve.
Because of Norwich’s relegation, the club would demand a relatively low fee, and providing Ancelotti is of course, backed with the funds to improve the squad, Todd Cantwell could well represent a low-risk but exciting addition for the next campaign. The 22-year-old certainly deserves another shot at the Premier League.
David Brooks, Bournemouth
Like Norwich, Bournemouth may well be heading down to the Championship after an impressive prolonged period gracing the Barclays Premier League. They too possess some players who are just too good to be playing Championship football, and one of them is Welsh international David Brooks.
The 23-year-old has only just returned from a long-term injury to feature prominently for Bournemouth since the restart, and already he showed why the club have missed him over the past 18 months. Brooks is an exciting young forward and incredible versatile too. The Welshman can perform roles on the left, the right and at no.10 due to his trickery, pace, technical acumen and bravery.
Bournemouth have flattered to deceive at times this season. Their poor defensive showings have often been bailed out by their exciting attacking play at the other hand, a regular trend that has been the hallmark of Eddie Howe’s side since they gained promotion in 2015. That hasn’t been the case this season, due to Brook’s injury and loss of form to key players.
Like Cantwell, Brooks is simply too good to be playing Championship football. Last season saw his remarkable breakthrough in the English top-flight, scoring 7 goals and 5 assists in 30 outings. These are numbers that prove Brooks has what it takes to make it at the top level and Ancelotti could do no wrong in recruiting the forward.
Everton currently lack a progressive ball carrier on the flanks, and Brooks would provide the perfect low-risk solution to their creative issues both on the flanks and in the middle, potentially killing two birds with one stone.
Said Benrahma, Brentford
Arguably the most decorated and exciting players currently playing in the Championship. It won’t be long before Saïd Benrahma is gracing the Barclays Premier League. His extraordinary talents are tailor-made for it.
Whether its for Brentford, who have just reached the Championship play-off final, the English top-flight is just what Benrahma needs to take his game to the next level.
The Algerian has been central to Brentford’s promotion push, contributing to 26 of their goals in the Championship (17 goals, 9 assists) in 38 starts. Remarkable numbers for a player who continues to intrigue and set games alight even when there aren’t any fans. Of Brentford’s 17 goals since the restart, Benrahma has had a hand in nine of them, scoring seven.
Chelsea are the only club rumoured to be courting the player, but Benrahma is a player Everton also should be scouring for also. How Ancelotti would love to possess a layer of Benrahma’s qualities right now. Lining up on the left of Brentford’s 4-3-3 shape, Benrahma is their sole creative force, blessed with such unerring tricks, dribbling qualities, vision, imagination and a confidence that few players in the division can match.
So far since the restart, Everton have lacked that sparkling flair in attack, someone who can capture the imagination when required. Benrahma provides just the tonic for that. As well as his outstanding goal outputs, he also averages 2.2 key passes per game and 2.9 dribbles highlighting his incredible infleunce in the final third. He’s not afraid to take players on, attempt the risky pass, or go for goal from outrageous positions as shown in the clip above.
Benrahma certainly has what it takes to cut it at the top level. His counterpart Riyad Mahrez is currently tearing it up at City, the Brentford star holds all the characteristics and abilities to match the heights of his fellow Algerian. Everton should seriously consider going putting all their eggs in the Benrahma basket. He may just be worth it all.
Calvin Stengs, AZ Alkmaar
Another player proving vital to his clubs cause. Before the Dutch Eredivisie campaign was curtailed because of the coronavirus pandemic, AZ Alkmaar were Ajax’s closest challengers sitting level on points with them before the cancellation.
Dutch winger Calvin Stengs proved one of the key components in an enthralling attacking team. The 21-year-old is a dribbling sensation, blessed with amazing trickery and dancing feet and an attacking influence that has come on leaps and bounds this season.
He’s scored 9 goals and assisted 9 in all competitions this season, highlighting his incredible importance to Arne Slot’s impressive AZ team. Stengs isn’t your traditional winger, he’s incredibly versatile, also holding the capabilities and understanding to also make a telling contribution at no.10. Stengs is a silky forward, his balance, excellent ball control and awareness means he can operate in tight areas within the final third, hence his versatility.
Stengs is another one of those talents who needs the magnifying glass that is the Premier League for his abilities to be truly appreciated and developed, and Ancelotti could provide him with that platform if a move was to materialise. Everton are in need of some injection, some serious shaking up in the creative department and they could do no wrong in going for the Dutch international.
Leon Bailey, Bayer Leverkusen
Jamaican and Bayer Leverkusen forward Leon Bailey divides opinion. He’s been in and out of the Leverkusen side this season, making 12 starts and 10 substitute appearances in the German Bundesliga, despite his extraordinary talents. It’s safe to say that Bailey needs a career restart and there may be no place to get that than at Goodison Park under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti.
Despite the difficulties this season, Bailey has still put in some good numbers, contributing to Leverkusen’s impressive season. 5 goals and 3 assists in 12 Bundesliga games. He’s successfully completed nearly 4 dribbles per 90, 3.39 shot creating actions per 90, showing that he still has so much to offer in the final third and when progressing play. Everton currently do not hold any adequate dribblers or progressive ball-players in their team and Bailey is another option who could solve those issues.
Bailey is a versatile winger, can line-up anywhere on the left, and has even featured at left-wing back because of his tactical versatility and understanding. His speed, dribbling abilities, technique, and quick would be an asset to any team in the Premier League. It’s important to remember that Leon Bailey is still only 22-years old, so he has a lot of time to really unlock his true potential.
It is reported that Bailey would be available for €20-30m this summer, with a whole host of Premier League rumoured to be interested in his services. If reports are believed to be true, it is an opportunity Everton simply cannot pass up on.
Cengiz Ünder, AS Roma
Another player in need of a career reboot. Roma’s Cengiz Under is reportedly attracting a lot of interest this summer, despite his difficulties to stake a claim for a regular place in the Roma side. The interest despite all that, says a lot about his abilities and Under is a player who is truly blessed with an array of attacking qualities.
Everton are rumoured to be interested in a number of players this summer, and their lack of options in attack means the rumours are understandable. Cengiz Under is amongst those players linked with a move to Goodison Park and if any manager can help him restore his mojo, then he can look no further than Carlo Ancelotti.
Under is just what Everton needs, a player who can line up on either flank, blessed with exciting technical qualities, quick feet, excellent ball control, vision and an ability to create opportunities for his teammates as well as finishing them off himself. The Turkish international also possesses a wand of a left-foot which could be of real use to excite the Evertonians once again.
Ebere Eze, Queens Park Rangers
One of the most decorated attacking talents in the Championship. Ebere Eze deserves a shot at the Premier League, and Everton could do well in taking a punt on the midfielder.
12 goals and 8 assists is a remarkable return in a division that demands so much week-in and week-out, and Eze has made it all look easy. The 22-year-old is ridiculously creative, and effortlessly silky. King of the nutmegs, his trickery, ball playing and technical qualities are unmatched, hence his impressive goal output.
Another player capable of playing anywhere across the attacking positions, his creativity in the final third, imagination, inventiveness and risk-taking characteristics allows him to be so influential when creating chances. 1.8 key passes and 2.9 dribbles per game this season is a huge reflection of his influence. Queens Park Rangers rely so heavily on Eze and he never disappoints, popping up in just about anywhere on the pitch to exert his creative authority and showboating qualities.
If Ancelotti aims to excite the Everton fans then recruiting Ebere Eze would prove a standout addition. Again, its about time Eze tests himself in the top-flight and maybe, just maybe Goodison Park could be the perfect step-up for him to continue his wonderful development. Eze is garnering a lot of interest right now, especially from West Ham, so Everton will have to move fast.
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