Everton Blogs

Opinion: Beating Premier League rivals to outcast would be a smart move for Everton

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Having seen a Barcelona outcast in Lucas Digne become a major success at Goodison Park, it’s no surprise to see us being linked with someone who’s also had difficulties with first-team football at another European superpower. Thomas Meunier has found himself in and out of the team under Thomas Tuchel this season, and has become second-choice to veteran right-back Dani Alves.

According to Belgian publication Sport Foot (via Sport Witness), we have ‘already met’ the player’s agent to assess the potential of a likely move, with Meunier even previously suggesting that he would be open to a move to the Toffees; this despite his open preference to join Manchester United.

With first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman turning 31 this October, a move for Meunier makes sense in the long-term. The PSG man has proven that he is one of those rare breed of full-backs that can defend just as well as they go forward, and would offer a great balance to the pace and marauding runs of Digne on the opposite flank.

At 6ft 3in, Meunier is seemingly well-built for the physical nature of the Premier League, and would not take too long to adapt to the hustle and bustle of English football. As a tall and imposing right-back, the Belgian can be an added presence at set-pieces, and make sure we’re more defensively solid when it comes to crosses into the backpost.

One of Coleman’s greatest strengths over the years has been what he’s done for us in the attacking side of our game, pitching in regularly with goals and assists with those trademark runs to the by-line. Meunier has been similarly prolific in his time in Paris, and this season alone saw him register an impressive five goals and seven assists.

At the reported £25m figure that is seemingly being quoted for the defender, we would also get someone who has proven his versatility by playing in midfield. The futures of the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and James McCarthy are uncertain for the moment, and Meunier’s arrival could offer us another option for them without having to spend extra money to bring in a replacement.

With Jonjoe Kenny seemingly edging closer to a loan move to Schalke, Meunier, in the prime of his career at 27, could come straight into Goodison Park and nail down a first-team spot.

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