According to a recent report by Liverpool Echo‘s Phil Kirkbride, AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe is set to undergo a medical at Everton and could seal his loan move to Merseyside later today. The same source has revealed that the French right-back would become Marco Silva’s sixth signing of this window after the arrivals of Jonas Lossl, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Jean-Phillipe Gbamin and Moise Kean earlier this summer.
Djibril Sidibe’s Solid Career In The French Top-Flight
The Ligue 1 defensive ace is an ES Troyes AC youth product before braking out as a first-team starter back in 2011. LOSC Lille decided to bring him to Stade Pierre Mauroy in the summer of 2012 where he built a strong reputation as a full-back. Sidibe made a total of 119 appearances for Lille, finding the back of the net 11 times while providing seven assists in multiple competitions.
AS Monaco finally managed to land him in the summer transfer period of 2016. The French prospect has appeared in 114 matches for the Ligue outfit, registering six goals while grabbing 21 assists on all fronts. On the defensive end, the Monaco sensation made an average of 1.9 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 clearances per game in the French top-flight last season (stats via whoscored).
Sidibe has also represented France in 18 international matches and has got one goal to his name for his country thus far.
What Will The French Right-Back Add To Marco Silva’s Side?
The French talent has decent pace in his locker, which allows him to make some lung-bursting dribbles down the right flank. He is highly versatile as he can operate in both full-back positions or play as a wide player down the right-wing.
Sidibe is also an accurate distributor of the ball and can be a reliable presence inside his own half. The Ligue 1 defensive ace is always willing to work hard for his side and can make some vital interceptions at the back. He is also a dominant presence in the air due to his incredible strength and leaping ability.
Recruiting a quality right-back such as Sidibe will undoubtedly increase competition for Seamus Coleman at Goodison Park especially after Jonjoe Kenny’s departure on loan earlier this summer. He will bring a winning mentality to the Merseyside club having secured a 2018 FIFA World Cup winner’s medal with France last year. Overall, Sidibe will be a brilliant acquisition for the Toffees before the start of the new season.
