Yerry Mina is inching closer to full fitness and could make his competitive debut for Everton in the coming weeks. The Toffees have struggled to keep things stable at the back due to injury to some of their star defenders which include Mina while Phil Jagielka was suspended for three Premier League matches after being sent off against Wolves.
The Merseyside club are yet to keep a clean sheet this season so Mina’s return could see them improve considerably on the defensive front which would be a big boost for Marco Silva. The Toffees boss managed to secure the services of the Colombian international earlier this summer and his arrival has brought a lot of high expectations at Goodison Park.
Yerry Mina: Player Profile
Mina began his football career in his home country of Colombia before making a switch to Palmeiras in the summer of 2016. During his time with the Brazilian giants, the Colombian defensive ace caught the eye with some excellent displays at both ends of the pitch. Mina had an incredible goal-scoring record at Palmeiras despite being a center-back. He scored eight goals and grabbed two assists in 33 appearances for the Brazilian outfit which saw Barcelona swoop in for his services at the start of this calendar year.
However, he struggled to earn game time under Ernesto Valverde and made just eight senior appearances for the Catalans last season. Mina played an integral part in Colombia’s success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup which impressed the current Everton boss who brought him to Merseyside before the transfer deadline last month.
What Will The Colombian Defender Add To Marco Silva’s Side?
Mina is physically strong and has all the attributes to become a top-class defender. He is aerially dominant and is quite aggressive with his approach to the game. Marco Silva could be the ideal manager to nurture and get the best out of the Colombian international at Goodison Park this season.
With matches coming thick and fast for the Merseyside outfit in the coming weeks, we can expect Mina to make his senior debut for the Toffees sooner rather than later. He will undoubtedly add a lot of solidity to the Everton defence and would be a major threat from set-pieces going forward.
Verdict
Mina could very well be the answer to the Toffees’ recent defensive struggles as long as he can adapt his game to the physicality and high intensity of English football. He will be a commanding presence in the Everton backline which would make Jordan Pickford’s life a lot easier in goal for the Merseyside club.
