Everton sent scouts to watch SC Braga’s Europa League clash with Scottish Premiership title hopefuls Rangers on Wednesday evening, according to A Bola via Sport Witness.
The Toffees have reduced the extent to which we scout the Portuguese top-flight since firing Marco Silva in December, but have kept one eye on the division with talent spotters in attendance at one of Braga’s fixtures last week and before the turn of the year.
Braga beat Vitoria de Setubal 3-1 on Sunday night thanks to goals by Ricardo Horta, Bruno Wilson and Trincao, though neither could prevent Os Arcebispos from bowing out of the Europa League to Rangers.
Steven Gerrard’s Gers took a 1-0 win at the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Wednesday to book their place in the Last 16 with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
It is not suggested whom Everton’s scouts were keeping their focus on during the midweek tie, though few stars were on show for the hosts outside of 29-year-old left-back Nuno Sequeira and 27-year-old goalkeeper Matheus.
Which area does Ancelotti need to improve the most?
Goalkeeper
Defence
Midfield
Attack
Sequeira was the best-performing outfield player against Rangers having produced a performance worthy of a 7.4 match rating from WhoScored, thanks to the £3.6m-rated man enjoying 11.3 per cent of the possession and taking a game-high 132 touches.
The former Portugal U18 international also used his vast time with the ball to produce a whopping game-high five key balls, while completing 76 of his 91 attempted passes (84%), beating his marker with his only attempted dribble, delivering four accurate corners (50%) and making two interceptions, one clearance and two successful tackles (100%).
Central defender Bruno Viana took the match’s second-most touches with 113 while enjoying the most time in possession at 11.4%, with which he played a game-high 97 accurate passes (92%).
Braga ‘keeper Matheus earned the highest WhoScored rating from the Europa League Second-Leg tie at 8.10, having produced four saves from five shots faced, along with four parries, 32 accurate passes (97%) and 45 touches.
It remains to be seen if Everton’s scouts report back positive appraisal of either of the trio that would make them a potential summer target for Carlo Ancelotti.
In other Everton news, the club have reportedly been offered a 49-cap international who’s been involved in a goal every 113.2 league minutes this term.