Everton Opinion: Why Armando Izzo would be a smart signing for Everton?
According to a report from Tuttosport, Everton have registered their interest in signing Torino defender Armando Izzo this summer, but the Toffees will face competition from Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Italian, 27, joined Torino from Serie A rivals Genoa last summer and enjoyed a solid season with Walter Mazzarri’s side, helping the Turin-based club keep 15 clean sheets in the 2018/19.
Izzo’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with a trio of Premier League clubs interested in his signature this summer.
Solving the defensive problems will be a priority for Everton, Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of the new campaign, but it’s the Toffees who must win the race for Armando Izzo’s signature.
Marco Silva had a decent first season at the Goodison Park, where the players got the grips of their manager’s tactics and system in the second half of 2018/19.
Everton will have ambitions of getting into Europe and potentially breaking into the top-six next term after finishing eighth in the Premier League table.
The Merseyside outfit have only signed goalkeeper Jonas Lossl on a free transfer from Huddersfield Town as of now and while they are on the brink of signing Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, Silva needs to step up his pursuit of achieving his summer transfer targets.
Given Everton’s problems at the back and the departures of Phil Jagielka and Kurt Zouma at the end of last season, signing a central defender has to be at the top of the Portuguese manager’s wishlist. That’s why Everton must go all out to sign Armando Izzo from Torino.
A rock-solid, reliable and no-nonsense defender, Izzo had a debut season at Torino and will be brimming with confidence at the moment.
The Italian’s concentration and reading of the game would massively benefit Everton, who struggled throughout the 2018/19 season from set-pieces and defensive lapses.
At a height of 6ft, the 27-year-old isn’t the tallest or the most commanding of centre-halves but his composure on the ball and ability to play out from the back would complement with Michael Keane’s robust approach.
Izzo has a decent turn of pace and that coupled with his tactical nous and fitness would give the Toffees some much-needed stability at the back.
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Verdict
At the age of 27, Izzo is perhaps approaching the peak years of his career. He has done well in the Serie A for the last few years now and hence, beating the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United would be deemed as a massive coup for Silva and Everton.