Despite the arrivals of Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes, Marco Silva revealed to the Liverpool Echo he wants another midfielder to replace Idrissa Gueye this summer. The Everton manager said: “We have to replace (Gueye) directly. Andre and Delph are similar players and we need a different profile as a football player.”
One player who should be considered is Tiemoue Bakayoko. Joe Bernstein of the Mail on Sunday says Chelsea are willing to let the 24-year-old leave this summer and Sky believe he could be on the radar of Everton. The £110k-per-week midfielder is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge but impressed while on loan at AC Milan.
He made 31 Serie A appearances, contributing two goals, creating 25 chances, averaging 43 passes with 87% accuracy, winning 75 aerial duels (61%), boasting 61 successful dribbles (72%), blocked 34 shots/passes, made 42 clearances and averaged a tackle (70) or interception (50) every 19 minutes.
Everton need a ball-winner who is composed in possession, provides a box-to-box threat and can create chances in the final third. Bakayoko struggled in England previously, but he’s since proven his worth abroad. The French international may not break the bank either with a market value of £31.5m.
Whether Silva makes a move remains to be seen, but he should certainly have the Chelsea man on his shortlist.