Everton are a team with purpose, grit, resolve and spine under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman. They look admirable on paper and resilient on the pitch. When a side like Manchester City, operating under the tactical nous of Pep Guardiola is dismantled, one can hardly beg to differ on the perception that the Toffees have been building a pedestal for themselves to enrich their credentials as a top club.
Koeman has had to take some harsh decisions so far as well and one of them is overlooking his veteran defender, Phil Jagielka, for stationing players who have a better form as compared to the Englishman. The 34-year-old, however, wants to ply his trade on a regular basis and quite understandably so, and thus is seeking an outlet to move to a club where he would see his needs being met. Apparently, Koeman is already taking proactive measures just in case one of the longest servants of Everton decides to call it a day in the blue shirt.
Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanović, is believed to be one of the prime targets for Everton this month. The out-of-favour defender has found opportunities pretty hard to come by under Antonio Conte and has not started a game for the Pensioners ever since they were humiliated by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a morale-damaging 3-0 defeat. In Conte’s three-man defensive line, there are a lot of options and it is unlikely that the Serbian would be given another run, at least in the ongoing season.
The 32-year-old is a proven gladiator in the top tier of English football. He can operate at the right-back as well as at the heart of the defence and can lend a helping hand to Koeman in his quest of finishing as high as possible in the league table. He has good experience with his national side as well which has knitted him into a very valuable asset in the game.
At Chelsea, Ivanovic has accumulated nearly 400 appearances and has won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League. His contract expires at the end of the season and considering that he is frustrated owing the lack of time on the pitch, Everton can get him for cheap in the present transfer market. He can come in very handy for any side who acquires his signature and no wonder why there is the Toffees want to rope him in.
