Earning a call-up for the England national squad for the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania next week, Burnley’s Michael Keane has suddenly turned into one of the most attractive prospects in English football. Having been sold by Manchester United in the January of 2015, Keane has gone on to establish himself at Burnley under Sean Dyche and now stands as one of the most effective centre backs in the top flight of English football this season.
Reports suggest that Ronald Koeman’s Everton are in a good position to sign the English defender. So what will Keane add to the Merseyside outfit this summer?
Though his international career started in a loss against Germany, Keane has been solid at the back for Burnley this season. Standing at over 6ft, Keane is a no-nonsense defender who has been right up there with the best in defensive contributions. Though having made less than half the number of passes most of the defenders in the top-6 sides have managed this season, Keane has been effective with a passing accuracy of 73.1% which does not read great when compared to the 91.8% from Manchester City’s John Stones but Keane is polar opposites to the former Everton man.
Keane plays in a narrow 4-4-2 system under Sean Dyche where he has good midfielders to protect him. Ben Mee, Keane’s centre back partner, has also been in excellent form while his defensive midfielders and the full-backs also tuck in close to help him out. There is no denying that the system at the Turf Moor has helped him find his current form but he has been influential in helping Burnley stand as the second best defensive team among clubs at the bottom half of the table.
In the current generation where even the defenders are required to have a technical ability with the ball, Keane could be a liability. Though he has played at a number of clubs in England, the former Manchester United man has never had to play in a team that needs him to carry the ball from the back and set his team on the attack and this is something he might have to do at the Goodison Park if he decides to move.
Ronald Koeman is in desperate search of a central defender with Robert Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka fast looking as backup options rather than first team starters. Though Keane’s experience in the Premier League might help him impress the former Southampton manager, he will need to do a lot more than just sit back and defend.
He will not be expected to play smart one-twos at the edge of the box and take Everton forward but he cannot resign himself to clearing and blocking the ball at the back.
At Burnley, he was hardly ever exposed and most of the work he had to do was to clear the attempted passes. Keane is more than capable of doing that but Everton need a defender who has all the attributes that one John Stones had and though it is hard to find a ball-playing defender like him, Koeman will want someone who is happy and confident with the ball at his feet. At a price of over £20m, Keane has not been tested in such environment and will be a risk (may be worth taking) for Everton this summer. Do you think Everton should go all in for Michael Keane?
