Everton answered their chronic striker shortage by signing Cenk Tosun on a four-and-a-half-year deal worth £27 million. But what does the Turkish star bring to the table?
Tosun will be tasked with the responsibility of leading a Toffees attack which has been woefully short on goals all season following Romelu Lukaku’s summer departure.
But with the 26-year-old now acquired, boss Sam Allardyce feels the former Besiktas man is one of the best unearthed talents around in Europe and is just waiting for his chance to shine in the Premier League.
Here, we take a closer look at four attributes Tosun has in his locker to help catapult the Blues up the table.
TURK’S DIRECT STYLE SEALED DEAL FOR ALLARDYCE
Teams under Allardyce have always generally played with a powerful forward who is strong in the air, a physical presence and offers plenty more than just a high goals return.
Kevin Davies at Bolton and Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke are two players, to an extent, that fall under that category of players he has previously managed under his long-ball, pressing style.
And you can now add Tosun to that list.
Everton have a rich history of No.9s – from Dixie Dean to Bob Latchford to Duncan Ferguson – Evertonians have always latched onto their forwards and tend to get behind a powerful frontman.
The Turk is direct and capable of receiving the ball to feet, holding play up with his back to goal or charging at defences with darting runs into the box. While both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse are possibly quicker across the grass, neither are equipped to lead the line as effectively alone. Tosun is better than both of those with his head, too.
HE CAN USE BOTH FEET
Yes, a Premier League footballer who can use both his right and left foot. It made sound obvious but it’s actually quite rare as very few players possess that quality or are equally as efficient on both wings.
Tosun, who has netted 41 goals in 96 Turkish Super Lig games since the start of the 2014-15 season, is capable of operating with either boot and that is surely a big boost for an Everton team which has netted just twice in five matches.
To all Evertonians! I am so excited to be an Everton player! I can’t wait to get started in the Blue shirt! #COYB! 👍⚽️🔵💙 pic.twitter.com/EaHrirykAQ
— Cenk Tosun (@CenkTosun_) January 6, 2018
OFFERS MORE THAN JUST GOALS
Four goals in six Champions League appearances this season have showcased Tosun’s finishing qualities at the highest level but it’s not all about goals.
The German-born star is capable of dropping deep to seek the ball and kick-start forward plays, something which will benefit the Blues especially if he can hit it off with the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney.
Indeed, for Besiktas, he created 70 chances and recorded 10 assists on top his 41 strikes.
HE IS A PENALTY KING
While Everton have both Rooney and Leighton Baines in their ranks as penalty-takers, Tosun netted 10 times from 12 yards for Besiktas and was their dedicated spot-kick taker.
He showed how cool he was by dispatching a pen against Monaco in the Champions League back in November.
