Carlo Ancelotti has a difficult decision to make on Seamus Coleman, Djibril Sidibe and Jonjoe Kenny this summer – Coleman is first-choice, Sidibe impressed before the turn of the year and Kenny has excelled on loan.
All three players have staked a claim to be chosen next season, but Everton may pick Kenny over Sidibe as he’s a perfect fit for Marcel Brands’ recruitment policy.
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Coleman overcame inconsistency in the first two months of the campaign to win back his starting place in December. The 31-year-old wears the captain’s armband and still has two years remaining on his deal at Everton, so it’s hard to see him being axed by Ancelotti.
Coleman has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season and missed only four Premier League games in the last four months before the spread of Covid-19 led to the postponement of the campaign. Coleman has spent 11 years on Merseyside and won’t be readily sold.
Kenny has been outstanding on loan at Schalke 04 to put himself in contention of a starting place back at Everton next season. The German outfit are keen to sign the 22-year-old permanently, but it’s unlikely he’ll be sold given his progress made at the Veltins-Arena.
As per WhoScored, Kenny has contributed four goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances, created 13 chances, whipped in 49 crosses with 24.4% accuracy, won 25 aerial duels (46%), made eight successful dribbles (53%), blocked 34 shots/passes/crosses, made 59 clearances and averaged a tackle (34) or interception (19) every 39 minutes.
Sidibe looked on course to turn his loan move permanent for £12.8m after ousting Coleman earlier in the season, but his form fell off in 2020 and the Liverpool Echo say Everton are now unsure about signing him.
Brands wants to lower the average age of the squad, so picking an in-form Kenny over an out-of-form Sidibe ticks all the boxes. Therefore, it would make the most sense that Everton opt against signing Frenchman and allowing the academy to replace him in Ancelotti’s first-team.