Lots of Everton fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Sunday Mirror, via the Express, claiming Carlo Ancelotti is looking to sign Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings during the summer transfer window.
Ancelotti is looking to stamp his mark on the Everton squad having adopted the current first-team from Marco Silva midway through the campaign, and has identified the backline as a key area for improvement after shipping 56 goals in 38 Premier League games.
The Blues allowed three or more goals to be struck against them on eight occasions, too, while winning just three fixtures following the restart.
Chelsea centre-half Kurt Zouma is one target in mind for Ancelotti as he strives to improve his side’s defensive numbers, as the Frenchman may become available should Frank Lampard look to cash in to solve his own issues in the backline.
Manchester City prospect Tosin Adarabioyo is another player in mind at Goodison Park, but a move for the 22-year-old – who has never played in the Premier League – is dependent on Director of Football Marcel Brands failing to land Ancelotti’s top-targets, which includes Mings.
Ancelotti is still awaiting confirmation of his summer budget and will likely need vast sums from the club, as Villa are no longer in a position where they may be forced to sell Mings having secured their survival on the final day of the season.
Reports had suggested the Midlands outfit would be forced to cash-in on Mings at around £30million if they did fall out of the top-flight, but are now in a position where they can ask for far more.
And lots of Everton supporters are hopeful their side does not pursue Mings, regardless of the price, as they are intent in the belief the 27-year-old is not what Ancelotti requires.
Mings made 33 appearances in the Villa backline during the 2019/20 season, in which he averaged 0.5 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 5.7 clearances, 1.7 blocks, 2.0 of 3.4 aerial duels won and 41.9 passes a game, per WhoScored data.
Oh wow. No thanks https://t.co/y8MlUMv7hr
— Jay Howard (@thejayhowardd) August 9, 2020
He is not good enough
— Kjetil Grung (@GrungKjetil) August 9, 2020
Big swerve for me . No better than Mina
— DanRowley usm mr Everton 2015 (@rowleydan) August 9, 2020
— Adam Osborne (@AdamOsborneEFC) August 9, 2020
He’s dreadful 🤮
— Daniel Colton (@DanielColton9) August 9, 2020
— Toffeemies (@Toffeemies) August 9, 2020
Plays with an arrogance his ability does not match
— stephen brooks (@stevebrooks5) August 9, 2020
Kill me https://t.co/F3xEQWhS33
— Kev (@Kevin_1878) August 9, 2020
He’s no better than what we have it’s midfield that’s our priority
— Rob (@patto196648) August 9, 2020
Some Everton supporters have noted similarities between their side’s rumoured interest in Mings and the Blues’ £12m move for Ashley Williams from Swansea City back in 2016.
Williams was the Jacks’ captain but struggled at Goodison Park, where he made 73 appearances before a loan spell with Stoke City and being released at the end of his contract last summer.
Ashley Williams mark II
— Andy Hill (@AndHill2) August 9, 2020
This is gonna be like Ashley Williams all over again
— Jay (@EFC_JP) August 9, 2020
Other Blues supporters have shared their hope in reports of interest in Zouma and Mings being a mere ploy to get another side keen and avoid losing out on signing Gabriel Magalhaes from LOSC Lille amid rival interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
I’m hoping this is a ploy to get Spurs or Arsenal to buy him freeing us up to sign Gabriel
— TheyKilledTheBanter (@davemurphy1307) August 9, 2020