According to a recent report by Sky Sports, Everton could consider making a move to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa but only if they can strengthen some of the other areas of their squad first. The same source has also mentioned that the Toffees sporting director Marcel Brands is a big fan of the English midfielder’s talents, but the club will only go in for the player if they can bring in a new right-sided midfielder and a centre-back this summer.
It is believed that Gremio attacker Everton Soares and LOSC Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes are currently at the top of the Merseyside club’s wishlist for this upcoming summer transfer window (via Sky Sports).
Grealish’s Marvellous Season At The West Midlands
Grealish has enjoyed a mesmerising season at Villa Park so far after putting in several productive displays as a box to box midfielder and as a winger in Dean Smith’s first-team. He has managed to produce nine goals and eight assists in 31 appearances for the Villans this term in multiple competitions which has enhanced his reputation in English football over the past nine months.
However, the 24-year-old was recently involved in a car accident just moments after he advised all of his fans to stay at home and maintain the UK government’s social distancing guidelines as a response to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Grealish’s reputation has taken a hit for his off-the-field antics, so the Toffees need to be careful before deciding whether to launch an offer for him this summer.
The English midfield ace has averaged 2.1 shots, 2.7 key passes and 2.2 dribbles in every 90 minutes of league football this season (stats via whoscored). He has been involved in more goals than any other English player in the Premier League so far. If the Villans captain can continue performing at such a high standard over the next 12 months, then he should be guaranteed a place in Gareth Southgate’s England national team for next year’s UEFA European Championship.
What Will The English Playmaker Add To Ancelotti’s Side?
Grealish can use his mobile frame to get into some dangerous areas in and around the opposition penalty box. He has a low centre of gravity that enables him to complete some lung-bursting dribbles and wreak havoc in the final third. The English workhorse has also transformed himself into a prolific goal-scorer and assist-maker from midfield which has made him such a valuable asset at Smith’s disposal. He usually excels at retaining possession by playing some neat passes with his teammates at the centre of the park. The 24-year-old boasts a pass completion rate of 84.4% in the English top-flight this season (stats via whoscored).
Will Recruiting Grealish Be A Wise Move For The Toffees?
Carlo Ancelotti needs his midfielders to contribute more often in the attacking third of the pitch. The likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes have all struggled to find consistency as far as their productivity is concerned going forward. So maybe the Italian tactician will be wise to cash in on an underperforming midfielder like Sigurddson so that he can free up some space in the wage bill for someone as talented as Grealish.
The Villa star will not only bring plenty of goals and assists to Goodison Park but also add another dimension to the Everton attack. He will be the ideal man to unleash the attacking potential of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top and has the skillset to become one of the greatest players in the Merseyside club’s history. However, for that to happen, the Toffees would first need to sort out some of their more immediate problems by acquiring their transfer targets early in the transfer window.
