Everton can now go after Jackson Tchatchoua for a bargain fee this summer, and the Toffees really do need him. Right-back has been a weak spot for a while now, and the club have struggled to find a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman. Wolves going down gives David Moyes a rare, cheap chance to solve this problem for good, especially since Wolves will likely take much less than the €12.5m they spent on the 24-year-old Cameroonian only a few months back.
The back story: Everton’s first move for Tchatchoua
Everton tried to bring Tchatchoua to the Premier League last summer, competing with the likes of Nottingham Forest, Milan, and Besiktas, but the defender chose the project at Wolves instead. The Toffees pushed hard in the final days of the window to get a deal done. It looked like a late gamble from the Friedkin group as panic set in, mostly because Jarrad Branthwaite’s six-week injury meant Jake O’Brien would have to cover at right-back rather than playing in his natural central role.
In the end, Wolves beat them to it with a €12m deal, leaving the Toffees empty-handed. Back then, Tchatchoua was one of the most talked-about full-backs in Europe after a solid run at Hellas Verona, where he played 36 Serie A games and earned the trust of scouts across the league.
Is he still the right fit for Everton?
Seamus Coleman is nearing the end of his playing days at 38, Nathan Patterson is rumoured to be heading for the exit, and Jake O’Brien is clearly a centre-back playing out of position. Moyes reportedly wants Coventry’s Milan van Ewijk, but Everton are stuck in a bidding war with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Brighton for a player valued at £25m.
Should Everton prioritise Tchatchoua over other right-back options?
Everton need to act on Tchatchoua before Italian teams move back in. With five games left, the Blues are only a point behind Chelsea for a Europa League spot and eight away from the Champions League. If they make it into Europe, they need a proper right-back, not a temporary solution.
Tchatchoua managed over 1,800 Premier League minutes this year in a struggling Wolves side, proving he has the stamina and reliability for the top flight. At a price well below €10m, he is a much better value than van Ewijk, and Moyes would be getting a player who is already used to the pace of the league. The Toffees missed out once; they shouldn’t let it happen again.
