According to a recent report by Correio da Manhã (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness), Everton will have to pay €20m for Sporting CP midfielder Wendel this summer. The same source has also stated that the Toffees have been keeping a close eye on the Brazilian midfield ace but are yet to make an offer for his signature (via Sport Witness). It is understood that the Lions are willing to sanction Wendel’s departure during the summer transfer period and will demand a fee of €20m for their prized asset (via Sport Witness).
Wendel’s Rise To Prominence At The José Alvalade Stadium
The Brazilian playmaker came through the youth ranks of Fluminense before making a high profile switch to Portugal in the summer of 2018. The 22-year-old has enjoyed another solid campaign in the Liga NOS after putting in a few impressive displays at the heart of the Sporting midfield. He has registered two goals and two assists in 30 matches for the Portuguese giants this term in all competitions which highlight his growing influence in the opposition half.
Wendel has averaged 1.3 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.9 shots, 1.2 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game in the Portuguese top-flight and the UEFA Europa League this season (stats via whoscored). His numbers prove just how effective he can be for his team at both ends of the field.
The promising midfield enforcer has also represented Brazil at the Under-23 level, having scored one goal in five appearances for them thus far. If he can continue to improve his game in the coming seasons, maybe he might get a senior call-up from Brazil boss Tite someday.
What Will The Brazilian U-23 International Bring To Goodison Park?
Wendel is a well-rounded midfielder who can use his quickness and agility to make some driving runs with the ball from midfield. He is a composed dribbler and can link up play well with others around him. The Brazilian hardly gives away the ball as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 92.6% in the Liga NOS this season. He also packs a lot of venom with his strikes from long range but needs to improve his end-product in the final third.
Should Ancelotti Orchestrate A Move To Land Wendel This Summer?
Recruiting a hard-working midfielder like Wendel will undeniably be a decent coup for the Toffees ahead of the new season. He will not only add some much-needed mobility and guile to Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield, but will also enhance the overall quality of his squad. The South American sensation will provide some healthy competition for the likes of Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurðsson, Gylfi Sigurðsson and Jean-Philippe Gbamin at Goodison Park in the upcoming campaign.
All of Ancelotti’s current midfield options have struggled to find consistency in terms of their performances on the field. Therefore, Everton can benefit a lot from bringing a promising midfielder like Wendel to Merseyside this summer. Even though he is not a regular goal-scorer or assist-maker from midfield, the fact that he is just 22 suggests that the best is yet to come from him.
An experienced manager like Ancelotti could prove to be the perfect man to get the best out of Wendel in the years to come. At the same time, the jury is still out on whether the Sporting youngster would be able to cope with the physicality and high intensity of Premier League football. Even with all the risks involved, the pros outweigh the cons of signing him and so Everton will do well to lure him to the north-west of England before the start of the new season.
