Fichajes has recently reported that Everton are eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso this summer. It is understood that the Toffees boss Rafael Benitez is a big admirer of the Spanish centre-back and could move in for him during this summer transfer window (via Fichajes).
Hermoso’s Decent Season At The Spanish Capital
It has been another solid campaign for Hermoso at the Wanda Metropolitano as he put in several commanding displays for Diego Simeone’s side in La Liga. The Madrid-born sensation scored twice and grabbed one assist in 38 matches for Atletico last season across all competitions.
More importantly, the 26-year-old did well to average 1.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.0 clearances per game in the Spanish top-flight. He was even excellent when distributing possession from the back based on his pass completion rate of 84.2% in the top tier of Spanish football (stats via whoscored).
At 26, Hermoso is currently enjoying the peak of his career, so he is well-equipped to make an instant impact at Goodison Park if Benitez can find a way to get him on board before the transfer deadline on August 31st.
What Will Hermoso Add To Rafael Benitez’s Team?
Hermoso is a decent tackler of the ball and can pull off a few important interceptions by timing his challenges well on the defensive end of the field. He can use his strong 1.85m frame to dominate the aerial battle with the opposition and has got a great leap in him that helps him with his fair share of 50-50 battles in the air. The Atletico Madrid star is primarily a central defender but can also fill in as a left-back if needed.
The Spaniard doesn’t take too many risks with his clearances inside his half and is proficient at passing his way out from the back. However, there are some concerns over whether he can maintain his good standards in the Premier League where he might struggle to cope with the physical nature of English football.
Hermoso has what it takes to earn a regular starting spot at the Merseyside club and could help the Toffees compete for a major trophy over the next few years. Furthermore, he will be a good candidate to rival Michael Keane and Yerry Mina for a place in Ancelotti’s first XI in the coming seasons.
