Everton have made a strong start to the summer transfer window, sealing permanent deals for Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George, and re-signing Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.
But it’s clear that David Moyes needs more in attack, if he hopes to get the Toffees into European contention next season.
Last year, Everton were among the few talented teams in the Premier League, relying instead on their own fitness and organization and discipline.
|
Low xG values in PL 25/26 (except for axed teams) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The team |
Goals |
xG |
|
Everton |
47 |
49.87 |
|
Fulham |
47 |
49.58 |
|
Nott’m Forest |
48 |
48.94 |
|
Tottenham |
48 |
46.80 |
|
Sunderland |
42 |
43.14 |
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the chance of a shot leading to a goal.
Something has to give, and although players are needed, the fact remains that Everton are not scoring enough goals, so they need a new goalscorer.
With all this in mind, it’s time to get to the heart of the argument, and that includes discussing Beto’s place in Moyes’ team.
Why Everton need to sell Beto this summer
Everton left a lot to be desired in attack last year. Thierno Barry is unpolished after joining from Villarreal for £27m a year ago, and Beto is a consistent and, at times, presence in the final third (which is saying a lot for a 6 foot 4 striker).
And although RB Leipzig registered their interest in Barry this summer, there is a case to be made that the young and unrefined striker should be kept on Merseyside, allowed to continue to develop under Moyes’ wing.
Everton need a new element in attack, though – and that’s regardless of Beto and Barry’s future. The Toffees were dull in front of goal last season, relying heavily on Iliman Ndiaye to make things happen.
The Friedkin Group was open to selling Beto during the January transfer window, but despite interest from Italy, nothing concrete was done.
It is worth noting that Beto has hit his stride in the closing months of the campaign, scoring eight out of nine goals in the Premier League after the new year, but we have often seen the Bissau-Guinean striker waste away in front of goal, going weeks and even months without a bit of form. It’s time for a change.
Everton are leading the race for the Champions League
Beto has his exploits, but something needs to be done to attack Everton this summer, otherwise Moyes could find himself stuck in a cycle of high hopes and misses at Everton.
Fortunately, TFG is focused on adding firepower to Hill Dickinson.
According to a well-placed Arsenal insider, Everton have stolen ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, who is really growing in his skin in Germany.
His agent, Eric Depolo, has revealed that Moyes is the frontrunner, making it clear that he is very fond of the 19-year-old striker, turning him in their direction after explaining their long-term plans – and, more importantly, how he will fit into them.
Depolo also believes his client is a “£100m player” in the making, scoring five goals and providing four assists in just 12 Bundesliga starts last season.
Leggy, tall and strong, Kofane has all the attributes he needs to become a champion, and it says something about his character that he is willing to forgo Arsenal’s interest and instead sign for Everton, seeing the benefits that could come from that sensible decision.
Kofane is considered “one of the most exciting strikers in the world”, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, so it’s easy to see why Everton are keen to land him over the line. If that comes at Beto’s expense, it will only strengthen the long-term project at the club.
Everton came close last season. After beating Chelsea 3-0 in March, there was a lot of excitement running through the blue Merseyside air.
They were missing a few key pieces, however, and a potential world-beater like Kofane could help them climb the ladder.
