Five players Everton should target in January

Asif Norat 16:21 10/01/2017
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  • Who should Everton look to sign?

    Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup a few days ago and they haven’t been riding their luck with injuries this campaign. If owner Farhad Moshiri wants to achieve the aims he has set for the club, a couple of signings during the January transfer window has to be a priority.

    Following the defeat away to Leicester, Ronald Koeman has revealed his frustration and felt the result was a wake-up call for the club as the team are in need for general improvement and squad strengthening.

    “I know what we need to change and if everyone opens their eyes today maybe we will get further on our improvement as a team,” he mentioned. “Because that’s really what we need and that’s all about what happens this month.”

    Here are five individuals who Koeman should aim to sign this month if they want to successfully finish in the Europa League spot…

    ASMIR BEGOVIC (CHELSEA)

    Everton’s goalkeeping errors have cost them quite a few points this season, otherwise they wouldn’t be far behind sixth-place Manchester United. Given the fact that most clubs will not be tempted to sell their first-choice goalkeeper in January with very little time to find a replacement, Asmir Begovic would be seen as the best option available.

    Still 29-years-old, the Bosnian shot-stopper will want a move away from Chelsea soon or later as he currently plays second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois. Begovic has only featured in the cup matches under new manager Antonio Conte, however a move to Goodison Park would be ideal for both parties as Everton are in need of a proven Premier League keeper.

    Begovic has at least five years of Premier League experience under his belt and he would certainly be an upgrade on both Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles.

    RAFAEL TOLOI (ATALANTA)

    Rafael Toloi has been fantastic for Serie A side Atalanta this season, the centre-back has completed more tackles and interceptions per game than any other player in the squad. The Brazilian may not be a popular candidate that Everton fans will fancy, but 77.7% of his passes are forward, which is a greater share than Ramiro Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka.

    Koeman prefers ball-playing centre-backs and Toloi unquestionably has the right technical ability to confidently slide into the side’s defence. Everton currently have an ageing defence which will not lead them to any success, so pursuing a move for veteran Jose Fonte would make no sense whilst Toloi would be the better option in the long run.

    The addition of Toloi could be a vital one as Jagielka is expected to retire in the summer, this will allow the 26-year-old to settle into the Premier League before then if a deal was put into place.

    MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN (MANCHESTER UNITED)

    With Gareth Barry not having the legs he once had and key player Idrissa Gueye away on international duty, the signing of a central midfielder this month is a must. Manchester United’s Morgan Schneiderlin has been heavily linked with a reunion with Koeman as the pair enjoyed a successful time together at Southampton.

    The Frenchman’s time at Old Trafford didn’t go the way he would have expected it to, but his career could be revived if the move to Everton becomes official. Since the 2012/13 campaign, Schneiderlin has won more tackles and interceptions combined (668) in the league than any other midfielder.

    Schneiderlin has a couple of years left in him before he reaches his 30’s and he could be the right box-to-box player that Koeman desperately needs in his first XI.

    JENS TOORNSTRA (FEYENOORD)

    Given that Yannick Bolasie is out with a knee injury until 2018 and Romelu Lukaku is not receiving enough service from the wings – Koeman needs a winger this month and Jens Toornstra is the perfect example of an attacking player who can offer both goals and assists. So far this season, Toornstra has scored five league goals and has provided seven assists.

    The Dutchman can play on both flanks and in the number ten role if needed, offering a different dimension to Everton instead of relying too much on the full-backs to get forward to create chances. Due to this, the side have been caught out on the counter-attack on many occasions which is why Koeman wants a winger that they can depend on.

    Everton's next four fixtures

    • JAN 15 - Man City (H) - EPL
    • JAN 21 - Crystal Palace (A) - EPL
    • FEB 2 - Stoke City (A) - EPL
    • FEB 4 - Bournemouth (H) - EPL

    Toornstra has been one of Feyenoord’s best players this campaign, so his price tag would be around £15m-£20m, which shouldn’t be a problem for Everton.

    WILLIAN JOSE (REAL SOCIEDAD)

    A lot of pressure is on Lukaku, who is on 11 league goals so far, whilst the club’s second top goal-scorer is only on three goals. With the club in need of an experienced and clinical forward, Willian Jose would be the perfect signing who has potential to become a key asset should Everton continue to fight for a top six finish in the league.

    Willian Jose is on nine league goals so far this season, scoring in crucial games against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. With Lukaku needing a partner alongside him in strike, the Brazilian fits the profile of someone who is a mobile forward that can overcome defenders with his burst of speed and agility.

    Real Sociedad will not be looking to sell their top goal-scorer, but with Moshiri investing quite a lot of money, the Spanish side could receive an offer that they can’t reject.

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