Everton are looking closely at the Italian market to find new defenders this January. Gianluca Di Marzio, a top expert on Italian transfers, says the Merseyside club are looking at two specific Serie A players. These targets would give the team more options on the right side.
Everton Turn to Serie A for Right-Back Reinforcements
David Moyes, the boss at Goodison Park, clearly sees the right-back spot as a major priority. He wants to bring in some fresh competition for the rest of the season. So, the club have picked out Bologna’s Emil Holm and Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy as their main targets.
Emil Holm has some interesting stats, even though his playing time has been up and down this year. The Swedish international has played nine times in Serie A so far this season. Even so, he has put up great numbers for a defender when it comes to creating chances.
He has one goal and four assists already. This shows Emil is dangerous in the final third in a way few full-backs are. On the other hand, Brooke Norton-Cuffy offers something completely different. The 21-year-old Englishman is a regular starter at Genoa and has played 18 league games so far.
His attacking numbers are decent, with one goal and one assist. More importantly, the fact that he plays every week shows he is a reliable player that scouts admire. Norton-Cuffy also came through the Arsenal academy, so he counts as a homegrown player. That makes a big difference when registering a Premier League squad.
Analysis: Who Fits the Moyes’ Blueprint?
The fans at Goodison Park know why the club are doing this. Seamus Coleman’s legendary career is finally reaching its end. On top of that, Nathan Patterson has dealt with constant injury problems. These issues leave the team short-handed in that position.
That is why signing a tough, energetic right-back is so important for the club. David Moyes has always liked full-backs who play with defensive discipline but also have the stamina to run forward throughout the game. When you look at the two candidates, it is a choice between high-reward talent and steady performance.
Holm gets an assist almost every other game. This suggests he could provide the spark that Everton often lacks out wide. However, he has been unable to nail down a starting spot at Bologna. This makes people wonder about his defending or his fitness.
In contrast, Norton-Cuffy has shown he can handle the grind of top-level football every single week. Being a homegrown player adds a lot of value. Also, he is built for the tough, physical style of play one typically sees in a Moyes team.
Holm might be better at attacking, but Norton-Cuffy is the safer, smarter pick. He fits a team that needs someone solid and always available. Since Everton usually like hardworking, physical defenders, the former Arsenal man looks like the obvious choice to head to Merseyside.
