Despite having Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean, Everton are on the hunt for another centre-forward this summer. The Toffees have been linked with Napoli striker Hirving Lozano, Torino’s Andrea Belotti, and RB Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen, but what will happen to Kean next season?
Richarlison partnered Calvert-Lewin up front on a regular basis under Carlo Ancelotti while the Italian international was on the bench, so any new arrival could push him out of the matchday squad. The majority of Kean’s appearances came from the bench this season and he often failed to impress when called upon, so it’s hard to see the 20-year-old playing an important role in 2020/21.
Kean joined Everton from Juventus last summer and went on to make 26 appearances in all competitions before the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He scored only one goal and started seven games across the board, racking up less than 900 minutes of football.
His poor attitude and lack of professionalism was highlighted by Paul Robinson, with Kean often arriving late to training and team meetings. Rumours of a move back to Italy haven’t gone away either, so Kean has a lot to prove on Merseyside.
Many likely expected Ancelotti to get the best from his countryman, but he may be giving up on Kean already if he’s targeting an experienced striker.
If the 20-year-old can’t be guaranteed playing time next season, he’ll have to be loaned out – Kean can’t play in the reserves given how much was spent last summer. Everton have a difficult decision to make. Do they trust the out-of-form striker for another season? Or do they buy an in-form striker to replace him?