Everton surely had a slow start to the summer transfer window when they were expected to storm the transfer market with a new manager in Ronald Koeman and the financial backing from owner Farhad Moshiri. However, the activity from the Toffees will definitely get accelerated in coming weeks as Everton look for bigger and better things next campaign.
Everton completed their third major transfer of the summer with the signing of Ashley Williams from Swansea City for £12m. The Welsh skipper joins Maarten Stekelenburg and Idrissa Gueye at Goodison Park. Everton had a constant crisis in defence last season and with the departure of John Stones, Everton’s desperation for defensive reinforcements intensified. Williams had been one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League over the last few years and brings that much-needed quality and experience to the Everton backline.
The 31-year-old has ended his eight-year association with Swansea to join Ronald Koeman’s side. In those eight years, Williams made more than 300 appearances for the Swans and will depart the Liberty Stadium as a legend of the Welsh side. With Williams on board, who was Koeman’s priority target to bolster his defence, Everton have strengthened their defence to some extent but they will benefit from getting another defender who would be an upgrade over of wasteful Funes Mori and ageing Phil Jagielka.
Williams is one of the most complete defenders in the Premier League. Aerially strong, the Welshman has a decent pace to cover space. He is physically strong and also an intelligent footballer who can read the game. Technically sound and tactically solid, Williams is also a natural leader of men and was the skipper of both Swansea and the Wales national team. A player like him brings a lot to the dressing room, something Everton badly needed.
The only drawback about the defender is his age. Aged 31, he is not a long-term project but he still has 3-4 years left at the top level and Everton has to make the best use of him. Twitter reacted to the major deal and the Everton fans are obviously very happy with the deal. Here are some of the best tweets.
Ashley Williams for 9 mil is an absolute bargain, was solid aw last season and in the euros
— Batchy (@_RyanBatchelor) August 10, 2016
Ashley Williams is such a bargain at that price
— El Padrino (@ken_waweru) August 10, 2016
Everton gave up John Stones and ended up with Ashley Williams as his replacement and £37.5m left over. Masterful business.
— Keith Hickey (@usarsnl) August 10, 2016
Ashley Williams is one of the major reasons that I support Swansea. Leader. Warrior. Legend. #ThankYouAsh
— Matt Showalter (@Matt_Showalter) August 10, 2016
£12m for Ashley Williams. Can it get any better than that? Great business.
— Jassim (@JassimMoslim) August 10, 2016
Ashley williams is gonna make a proper impact man . I’d like kone as well but Sunderland fans are so attached to him I’d feel a bit bad ????????????
— chris (@cjlatimer16) August 10, 2016
Why did Arsenal not try and sign Ashley Williams… Seriously there is nothing worse than being an Arsenal fan in the transfer market ????
— Davis (@Davis_Hope) August 10, 2016
You won’t find many people that don’t think Ashley Williams for between £9-12m is good business.
Solid as a rock, hardly missed a minute— Neil Larsen (@neiljohnlarsen) August 10, 2016
You won’t find many people that don’t think Ashley Williams for between £9-12m is good business.
Solid as a rock, hardly missed a minute— Neil Larsen (@neiljohnlarsen) August 10, 2016
André Ayew and Ashley Williams leave Swansea.. Good luck in the championship boys. pic.twitter.com/2DHnWM4uHe
— Jack Bamford (@JCKBMF) August 10, 2016
