Eto’o.. Who next?

Article by Ivory Clark

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With a few days still to go until the transfer deadline, Roberto Martinez’s latest bit of business once again gives Evertonians genuine reason to believe that a corner has been officially turned at the club.

The signing of three-time Uefa Champions League-winning, former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o on a 2-year deal is a statement of intent to compete at the highest level regardless of any financial limitations.

Even into his 30’s, Eto’o’s wage demands in recent times have been amongst the highest in the game, and when speculation and rumours of Everton’s interest in the former captain of Cameroon’s national side were first reported it seemed an extremely unlikely possibility.

However, this capture along with the experienced Gareth Barry and young talents Muhamed Besic, Brendan Galloway, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Atsu (on loan) will mark Everton’s most high profile transfer window in an extremely long time, not least for the £28 million record transfer fee for Lukaku. With the potential signing of rising Belgian star David Henen being rumoured for the past 2 months and the new contracts for John Stones, Seamus Coleman and Ross Barkley already signed, Everton’s future under Martinez’s stewardship looks youthful and bright.

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In the remaining days of the transfer window it will be interesting to see whether Martinez feels he needs more reinforcements. With 1 more domestic loan signing allowed and essentially limitless International loan deals, he may be tempted to use at least one of them to fill the void left by the injured Ross Barkley whose return has been reported as being anywhere between 2-5 months away.

Recent rumours have linked Everton again with Paris St-Germain midfielder Clement Chantome, who was also linked in last season’s window. After spending last season on loan at Toulouse he appears to still not be fancied at PSG.

Although not a total like-for-like replacement for Barkley, Chantome is a skilful and neat player who could succeed Leon Osman to become Barkley’s competition for one of the central midfield spots. With the rumoured price tag of only £4 million he could be another shrewd addition, either bought or loaned, to Everton’s engine room as they face the extra strain of competing in the lengthy Europa League.

With not just the Europa League in mind, the out of favour Danny Welbeck would be another ideal buy for Everton. Strong and quick with unselfish link up play, Welbeck has shown moments of technical class too that have surprised many of his detractors who believe him to be sub-Manchester United standard.

During his loan spell at Sunderland a few seasons ago, he was allowed to play as an out-and-out striker and thrived as the focus of play and on the responsibility that came with it.

Since then, playing second fiddle to the egos of either Rooney or Van Persie at club level and more often than not being played on the left for England has not helped him to show off his strengths. At only 23 and with Premiership experience like his, Welbeck could only be an asset as long as the price is right, or if a loan with a view to buy is viable. The long absence through injury of Arouna Kone, who is already reaching the twilight of his career, would make the opportunity of snapping up a younger and already more successful player before one of Everton’s rivals even more attractive.

Everton’s defence could be a growing concern. Although healthy in numbers, it lacks top quality replacements should either Distin, Jagielka, Baines or Coleman suffer injuries. John Stones’s performances last season showed him to be a cultured future successor to Phil Jagielka, but if Distin were to also suffer an injury the other backups are not as promising. Neither Alcaraz or Shane Duffy have shown themselves to be anything other than average squad players so far and the precocious Brendan Galloway perhaps too new to the squad to make an impression on the first team this season. With Everton competing on the European as well as domestic fronts this may be an area that Roberto looks at, especially after the disappointing late capitulation to give Arsenal a less than deserved draw last weekend.

John Stones deputised for Everton’s opening game in the right back slot while Seamus Coleman was still recovering from injury. Tony Hibbert the other recognised specialist in that position has barely played for Martinez’s Everton and whether he has been able to adapt to Martinez’s more patient style of play is yet to be truly seen. Despite his long career at Everton and the goodwill of the fans, I’m not sure many can imagine him thriving in it and given his age a replacement needs to be found sooner rather than later.

The young Tyias Browning can play at right-back but, with Everton’s goal being Champions League football, a more experienced alternative even in the short term would be beneficial towards reaching that goal.

Bryan Oviedo was in good form prior to his injury and with Luke Garbutt showing promising signs of maturity in pre-season Everton’s left back slot looks less precarious should Leighton Baines be ruled out by injury or as the season progresses in need of a rest.

After last season’s deadline day surprises at Everton I’m sure the fans can be justifiably excited that Roberto will make the most of the transfer window up until the very last minute. Nobody saw Romelu Lukaku coming or, at that late stage, Marouane Fellaini going. Although anyone leaving this window seems unlikely, if the last of Everton’s incoming business has already been concluded with Samuel Eto’o’s signing, Evertonians have more than enough reason to be happy.

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