Mundo Deportivo has recently reported that Everton are showing interest in Barcelona keeper Neto this summer. It is believed that the Toffees are eager to seal a move for the Brazilian custodian during this summer transfer period (via Mundo Deportivo).
Neto’s Up And Down Season In Spanish Football
Neto played a sporadic role in Ronald Koeman’s match-day squad last season but did well to catch the eye with some impressive displays in between the sticks at the Nou Camp. The 31-year-old conceded eight goals and kept six clean sheets in 12 matches for Barca in the previous campaign across various competitions.
The 31-year-old deserves a pat on the back for averaging 0.9 clearances and 3.6 long balls per game in La Liga last season. He even distributed possession with conviction out from the back after making 85.8% of his attempted passes in the Spanish first division (stats via whoscored).
The veteran keeper has played a useful role for the Catalan club over the past ten months but is nowhere near good enough to feature in goal for them week in week out. Hence, it makes sense for the player to join the Toffees in search of regular first-team football in the coming seasons.
Should The Toffees Snap Neto Up This Summer?
Neto can make some quick dives to come to his side’s rescue when the opposition are bombarding him with a lot of shots and crosses. The Brazilian custodian boasts decent reflexes that allow him to make a few solid saves at the back. Plus, he is a tidy passer of the ball and can come out of his lines to make a clearance when required.
The Toffees can benefit from adding some serious competition for Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park by recruiting Neto before the start of the new campaign. He has proven his worth as a valuable squad player during his time at the Nou Camp, so he won’t have any trouble filling in a similar role for Everton in the years to come.
At 31, Neto has got a wealth of experience under his belt but there are some concerns over whether he would be able to handle the physical nature of English football if the Merseysiders manage to bring him to the northwest of England during this summer transfer period. Hence, Everton should consider snapping Neto up so that they have a strong squad capable of competing for a major trophy in the post-Carlo Ancelotti era.
