Phil Jagielka (36) still happens to be the club captain and the main centre-half for Everton. A lapse in concentration in the first game saw him get a red card and the following free kick also resulted in a goal. It would be fair to say the veteran Englishman’s time in the first eleven was always numbered this season after Marco Silva brought in the likes of Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina in the transfer market. He certainly hasn’t helped his cause by putting in a poor performance in the first game under a new manager.
Mina can be considered as a massive coup for the Toffees as he was signed by Barcelona this year only in January. The defender was the standout performer for his country in the World Cup, and the English fans would remember him as he scored the equaliser against the Three Lions in the 90th minute in the Round of 16 encounter to take the game to extra time and then to penalties.
The 6ft 5inches defender has been brought in by Everton for £30m, and given the market situation, that can be termed as a decent deal for the Blues as Mina is still just 23. He managed only four starts for Barcelona in his six-month stint with them, and it was quite clear that Ernesto Valverde preferred a centre-back pairing of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique. One thing for sure is that the Colombian would be a dominant figure at the back whenever he starts. But does the defender have the requisite skills to be the backbone of the side? We try to analyse and find that.
Some Special Abilities
If Barcelona is picking you, there certainly needs to be something special in you. Given his size and physical presence, he can be surprisingly quick as he uses his long legs to great effect. By no means he is a slouch, so that is indeed a rare combination to have as generally, big tall defenders usually amble across the pitch.
As expected, his aerial abilities are unquestionable, and the Colombian is a massive threat while attacking set pieces. He scored three crucial goals for his side in the World Cup. Now here it gets even better for Everton fans as he is equally adept in playing out from the back and is comfortable when on the ball. You didn’t think Barcelona would bring in a defender who couldn’t find a pass or two when the opposition are pressing him, did you?
Yerry Mina, The Standout Transfer For Everton?
Richarlison might have been Everton’s big money buy in the transfer market, but we believe Mina is the standout signing of the Merseyside club. He is likely to be partnered by the young and very able Michael Keane, and Marco Silva could have a dominant centre-half pairing for years to come. Now with so many plus points, let’s talk about his weaknesses as well.
As we have seen in the World Cup, the Colombian commits a lot of needless fouls as he often tries to nick the ball from the attackers. He is sometimes guilty of being too tight with his marker, and it can mean that he could be turned over with a little flick. He needs to work out on his decision making on when to be tight on his marker and when to fall back and defend deep, but we believe that he can improve on that front with more game time and experience.
All in all, we can say that Mina can be the defender who can solve their problems at the back for years to come if he adjusts well to life in the Premier League. All in all, Mina might be one of Everton’s best signings in years and the signing of this window for the Toffees.
