According to a recent report by Foot Mercato, Everton are set to rival Manchester United in pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot this summer. The same source has also revealed that both the Toffees and the Red Devils are the primary contenders for the French playmaker’s signature. It is understood that Rabiot has even spoken with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and his departure from the Allianz Stadium during the summer transfer period is ‘quite likely’ (via Foot Mercato).
Rabiot’s Growing Struggles In Italian Football
The 25-year-old has endured a frustrating debut season at Turin after making a switch from Paris Saint-Germain last summer. He has struggled to find consistency wearing a Juve shirt and has often flattered to deceive with his performances during this campaign. Rabiot has been involved in 24 matches for the Italian giants but is still waiting to score or assist his first goal for his new employers in all competitions.
The French midfield ace has not been able to find a decent run of form after averaging 1.7 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 0.5 shots, 0.7 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game in the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this season (stats via whoscored).
However, to his credit, the Saint-Maurice born talent has earned six senior caps for the French national side thus far. Maybe a summer switch to Goodison Park could help Rabiot rediscover his old form and secure a place back in Didier Deschamps’ squad ahead of next year’s UEFA European Championship finals following the competition’s postponement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Does The French Midfielder Offer On The Pitch?
Rabiot is a well-rounded midfielder who is not afraid to get stuck in with a few tackles to earn possession back for his side. He boasts excellent ball control and is a composed dribbler from midfield. However, the Frenchman needs to be more productive in the final third if he wants to taste more success at the highest level.
He is a tireless worker at the centre of the park and can use his strength to overpower the opposition and win some crucial 50-50 midfield duels. The talented midfield ace is usually very tidy with his ball-distribution after completing 90.3% of his attempted passes in the Serie A and the Champions League this season (stats via whoscored).
Is Rabiot The Right Fit For Ancelotti?
Recruiting a midfielder of Rabiot’s overall ability and passing range will undeniably be a massive coup for the Toffees if they can successfully lure him to Merseyside this summer. He will not only add a lot of quality to the Everton midfield but also increase competition for places within Ancelotti’s squad. At 25, the six-time French international is about to embark upon the prime years of his football career which the Merseyside outfit could look to benefit from in the coming seasons.
Rabiot will provide some healthy competition to the likes of Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Tom Davies, Morgan Schneiderlin, Gylfi Sigurðsson and Jean-Philippe Gbamin in the race to secure a regular starting berth in Ancelotti’s midfield. Therefore, the French playmaker will be a decent fit for the Premier League side which is why Ancelotti should try his best to win the chase for his services before the start of the new campaign.
