May 2025 be a yr of optimism for Everton in spite of everything?
On Sunday, David Moyes claimed the primary win of his second stint in cost on Merseyside, overseeing a 3-2 victory towards Tottenham, through which the Toffees raced right into a 3-0 half time lead at Goodison; Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye each on track.
This propelled the Toffees 4 factors away from the relegation zone, desperately needing to retain their Premier League standing, earlier than shifting into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in the summertime.
As Moyes seeks to place collectively a squad sturdy sufficient to comfortably survive, now could be his probability to herald new recruits, so might the Blues signal a multiple-Premier League winner on a free switch?
Everton trying so as to add a brand new winger
In response to a report by Matt Law for the Telegraph final week, Everton have been “provided” the prospect to signal Willian this month.
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The winger joined report, 47-times Greek champions Olympiacos in September, incomes a reported £100k-per-week in Piraeus, however made solely 11 appearances for the Purple and Whites, scoring zero targets, therefore why they have been eager to terminate his one-year contract solely midway by way of, making him a free agent as of New 12 months’s Eve.
Willian is finest identified for his time at Chelsea, scoring 63 targets and offering 57 assists in 339 appearances, having arrived from Anzhi Makhachkala for a reported £32m in 2013, successful two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, an EFL Cup and the Europa League.
Honest to say, the Brazilian is a beloved figure on the Blues, however the identical can’t be mentioned of their London rivals Arsenal.
Upon his contract’s expiration in 2020, Willian joined the Gunners on a free switch, however scored simply one goal in 37 appearances, with journalist Phil Costa on Twitter describing him as “one of many worst professionals” in Arsenal’s historical past, whereas former striker John Hartson added he contributed “completely nothing” throughout his time on the membership.
After a brief spell again in Brazil with Corinthians, cut short after receiving numerous loss of life threats from livid supporters, he returned to English soccer with Fulham, and protected to say he is relatively extra well-liked at Craven Cottage than in Highbury.
How Willian might assist Everton
Willian bagged ten goals for the Cottagers, most notably scoring towards his former aspect in a well-known West London derby victory, revealing on BBC’s Football Focus afterwards that his daughters have been unhappy as a result of they each “love Chelsea”.
Talking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football earlier this month, Fulham membership captain Tom Cairney believes that Willian is one of the best participant he is ever performed with, claiming the Brazilian to be one of the crucial “underrated” gamers in Premier League historical past, including that he does not get the “recognition he deserves”.
Thus, the Fulham devoted have been upset to see the Brazilian depart final summer season, exhibiting that there’s nonetheless a top-quality participant in there someplace, even when Arsenal supporters will not consider you, suggesting Everton ought to make the leap.
Even after Sunday’s three-goal haul, the first time the Toffees have scored a number of targets from open play in the identical recreation all season, they nonetheless rank second-bottom of the Premier League for each targets scored (18) and anticipated targets (21.1).
Thus, Moyes actually wants some attacking assist, so might Willian have an analogous affect at Goodison to that of James Rodríguez?
One other massive title on massive cash after an illustrious profession in Europe, the Colombian spent only a solitary season on Merseyside, however scored six targets and collected eight assists, serving to them to a top-ten end in 2020/21, ending up no greater than fifteenth subsequently, becoming a cult hero, regardless of solely ever enjoying behind-closed-doors.
So, might Willian do one thing related? Let’s examine the Brazilian’s spell at Fulham to the Colombian’s time with Everton.
Willian vs James Rodríguez |
||
---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) |
Willian at Fulham |
Rodríguez at Everton |
Appearances |
67 |
26 |
Minutes |
4,644 |
2,032 |
Objectives |
0.19 |
0.27 |
Assists |
0.14 |
0.35 |
Objectives – xG |
+0.5 |
+3.2 |
Photographs |
1.86 |
1.81 |
Shot-creating actions |
4.19 |
3.19 |
Progressive carries |
3.66 |
1.59 |
Tried passes |
39.86 |
50.84 |
Move completion % |
79.9% |
78.4% |
Touches |
47.56 |
58.1 |
Tried take-on |
2.6 |
2.12 |
Tackle success % |
49.3% |
70.8% |
Provided that Willian had two seasons at Fulham, whereas Rodríguez was at Everton for just one, the latter gives a really small pattern dimension, so we’re assessing statistics on a per-90 foundation.
In brief, the pair are largely very related in lots of metrics, together with photographs and go completion share.
James was although, way more of a objective menace, albeit he did considerably overperform his xG throughout his time at Goodison, which is clearly nice, if not overly sustainable.
Willian in the meantime, ranks greater in relation to dribbles and shot-creating actions, suggesting he might actually add one thing further to Everton’s assault; on a Bosman, he could be the low-cost, low-risk signing they’re on the lookout for.
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