Brazilian midfielder Bernard has been tipped by the Liverpool Echo to face an uncertain future at Everton as Carlo Ancelotti considers a potential sale this summer.
Bernard saw his importance to Ancelotti drift from a regular fixture of the starting line-up to an unused substitute throughout the Italian’s tenure at Goodison Park last term, with the 27-year-old making 16 Premier League appearances but only opening eight of those.
Ten of his outings came at Goodison Park to six on the road, while only opening three potential away fixtures and one of the Blues’ final three home encounters, showing exactly where Ancelotti trusted Bernard the most and where the boss felt he had little to nothing to offer.
And with the anticipated arrival of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid at any moment now, the Liverpool Echo suspect Bernard’s days may be numbered as the club look to cut down the wage bill, given the £14.4million-rated Brazilian is our joint-highest earner on a £120,000-per-week deal.
James is not the only arrival Ancelotti and Director of Football Marcel Brands are working to sign, either, with the Toffees hierarchy aiming to add a new left-back to replace Leighton Baines, and are in talks with Watford for Abdoulaye Doucoure and SSC Napoli for Allan.
Should Ancelotti look to sell Bernard this summer?
Yes
No
If the club are successful in signing those players, cash must be freed from the wage bill and it is those on the fringes who will be left looking over their shoulders until the summer transfer window slams shut to top-flight and international sides on October 5.
The Liverpool Echo are right to suspect Bernard faces an uncertain future at Goodison Park when, more than if, Ancelotti and Brands begin to formally plan sales this summer, given how much of a bit-part player the Brazilian became under the boss.
Ancelotti’s close relationship with James will more than not aid the Colombian’s presence in the squad, too, leaving Bernard with an even more fraught fight for minutes next season than he already faced when last term concluded.
What should come to Bernard’s aid somewhat is that he ranked third among the Blues’ first-team for key passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League last term with 1.68, though trailed Gylfi Sigurdsson (1.81) who should also be fearing for his future.
Bernard further ranked sixth for big chances created (0.21) behind Moise Kean (0.54), Theo Walcott (0.49) and Leighton Baines (0.22), despite the trio playing less often.