Why Everton should complete a triple swoop for Marvin Plattenhardt, Jamaal Lascelles and Wilfried Zaha
As per reports, Everton’s new manager Marco Silva is keen on Wilfried Zaha after his impressive form for Crystal Palace last term. Silva is also interested in signing Hertha Berlin left-back Marvin Plattenhardt and Newcastle United skipper Jamaal Lascelles.
Everton could certainly do with a revamp of their entire squad after an underwhelming campaign under Sam Allardyce. Things are set to change under the management of Silva, with the Toffees looking to bring in new faces and director of football Marcel Brands pulling the strings.
And if Everton are to enjoy European nights at Goodison Park in the future, money needs to be wisely spent in the transfer market. That being said, here’s why the signings of Jamaal Lascelles, Marvin Plattenhardt and Wilfried Zaha would be so crucial ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Finding a new partnership in the heart of the defence should be a priority for Silva. Everton leaked a lot of goals last term under Allardyce and that needs to be fixed. With Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams ageing, the Merseysiders could do well with the signing of Lascelles.
Lascelles, 24, has proved himself to be a brilliant player at St. James’ Park in the last couple of seasons and is the leader Everton are sorely missing at the back. He had a solid campaign last season for the Magpies as they returned to the Premier League and the centre-back would certainly improve Everton’s backline.
Strong in the air and hard in tackling, Lascelles would also bring some much-needed pace and agility to Everton’s rearguard. Due to his ball-playing attributes, the Newcastle man could be the perfect player for partner Michael Keane, who had a torrid debut season with Everton. Lascelles and Keane could form a formidable partnership in defence that would only improve Everton’s chances of playing in Europe in the future.
Signing a central defender isn’t enough as Silva also needs to find a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines. The English veteran has been a fantastic servant for Everton since joining from Wigan back in 2008 but last season, he showed signs of slowing down. At 33, Baines is not expected to put in hard yards every game and it is the perfect summer to replace the ageing full-back.
Replacing Baines with Marvin Plattenhardt would be perfect for the Toffees as the left-back position does finally need to be revamped. The 26-year-old’s stock is on the rise after another excellent season with Hertha, contributing to his team with 8 assists. An attacking and energetic player, Plattenhardt has proven that he is one of the most consistent left-backs in the Bundesliga and the Toffees must lure him away to the Goodison Park.
While fixing the defensive problems remains a priority, Silva cannot neglect the team’s attack which looked blunt and devoid of energy last term.
Wilfried Zaha could take the reins as the creative, counter-attacking spark behind the intelligent Cenk Tosun. Zaha was one of the Premier League’s standout performers last season and he has really revived his career under Roy Hodgson’s management at Palace. The Ivorian’s explosive pace, dribbling abilities and flair would be useful attributes in Silva’s high-pressing style of football and his arrival would signify a solid statement of intent by the Toffees.
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So without much delay, Silva should try signing the aforementioned players to complete his squad for the 2018/19 campaign.