Why Everton should make a clever January move for Samir Nasri
According to the Daily Mail, Everton are interested in making a move for French midfielder Samir Nasri in the coming days. The former Manchester City midfielder is close to completing his drugs ban and will be available as a free agent after that.
The 31-year-old last kicked a ball for Turkish outfit Antalyaspor in January and has since been a free agent after failing to agree to new terms. The Frenchman is serving a ban after receiving an intravenous treatment at an LA clinic in December 2016 when he was at Sevilla on loan from Man City. (Dailymail)
Everton manager Marco Silva has shown a keen interest in the midfielder and signing him on a free transfer could be a massive coup for the club this season. Nasri is one of the most experienced and proven footballers when it comes to the Premier League.
He plied his trade with Arsenal before eventually moving to Manchester City, winning a number of titles in his career. The 31-year-old also enjoyed a decent loan spell with La Liga outfit Sevilla before joining the Turkish league.
In his peak, Nasri was considered as one of the most talented and versatile midfielders in the Premier League. Generally classified as a central attacking midfielder, the Frenchman is also comfortable playing on either flank.
The 31-year-old possesses a wide set of abilities that will still help him flourish in the Premier League. Nasri is technically astute and possesses excellent close control on the ball. He is a direct runner of the ball, making it very hard for defenders to dispossess him.
Having developed himself at Arsenal, the French midfielder has also proven to be an excellent link-up player. Nasri is superb with his quick short passing and can seamlessly supply the likes of Richarlison, Cenk Tosun and former teammate Theo Walcott with his incisive balls in the final third.
Moreover, the former Arsenal midfielder is also capable of chipping in with goals. Nasri has scored a total of 36 goals and provided 38 assists in 215 Premier League appearances. He may not be extremely prolific but he can still pull the strings in the middle of the park and make things happen for the Toffees. (Stats courtesy – Premier League)
Read more: Here are 2 players Everton must offload in January, including this long-term servant
Given that he is available on a free transfer, Marco Silva must definitely capitalise on the situation. Though he is 31, Nasri can still make a significant influence on this side and could help the Toffees achieve a top-six finish this season.