Everton’s season has taken an ugly turn with the Toffees conceding 7 goals in their last 3 games and failing to win any of their last 8 league games. Their picture-perfect back four of the club has faltered giving new concerns to Ronald Koeman ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The Dutchman is hunting a high-class centre-back after losing John Stones to Manchester City during the summer and Virgil Van Dijk could be a desirable option for him. The 25-year-old was outstanding on Sunday in Southampton’s 1-0 win over Everton.
The Southampton man is also one of the hottest prospects in Europe and has a huge price tag of 40 million pounds on him, which reportedly is not going to deter Everton from placing a bid.
Interestingly, it was Koeman, who signed the 25-year-old for Southampton in the summer of 2015 on deadline day for a fee of around £13 million. And although the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United are heavily linked with the defender, a move to Everton is also a high possibility considering it was Koeman who gave the defender his Premier League chance.
At 193 cm, Virgil Van Dijk is tremendously good in the air. He reads the game brilliantly, which makes his interception skills supreme. He has made 26 interceptions, 83 clearances, and seven blocks, as per Squawka this season. The Dutch stopper has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League since the start of the last season after his move to the south of the border from Scottish champions Celtic. He looks to be the ideal solution for Everton at the moment.
Everton have a brilliant back line on paper with Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams at the heart of the defence and they have produced some sublime performances this season. But, what the Merseyside club essentially need is an inspiring and a defensive leader, who could bring the team out of difficult situations. Ashley Williams was supposed to be that player, but he hasn’t been able to kick on after a good start.
Given how Everton’s defence are playing this season, Van Dijk would easily break into the first team. Everton have some talented options as centre-backs in Ramiro Funes Mori, Mason Holgate, Matthew Pennington and Van Dijk’s inclusion will only make them stronger.
With the season entering the second half, Everton would surely be needing fresh recruitments bring them back on track. They are currently behind Manchester United with just one point and the way the Red Devils are faltering; Everton have a real chance to overcome them if they manage to beat them in their backyard this weekend.
