According to a recent report by The Daily Express, Everton have dropped their interest in recruiting Ryan Fraser who is set to be released by Bournemouth, which should see him become a free agent next month. The same source has claimed that the Toffees were previously considering a move for the Scottish playmaker but has since moved on to some of their other targets.
Fraser’s Struggles At Bournemouth This Season
Fraser has endured a disappointing campaign at the Vitality Stadium after struggling to find consistency with his performances as part of Eddie Howe’s attack. He has made 32 appearances for the Cherries this term, registering one goal and four assists across all fronts which highlight his lack of productivity in the final third.
The Aberdeen-born talent has struggled to hit the heights of last season when he was playing at the peak of his football career. He has averaged 1.0 shots, 1.6 key passes and 1.0 cross per game in the Premier League this season (stats via whoscored).
The 26-year-old has earned 11 senior caps for the Scotland national team, netting one goal for his country in the process. Maybe a change of scenery this summer could help Fraser rediscover his form and keep his place in Scotland’s first-team in the years to come.
What Does The Scotland International Offer On The Field?
Fraser boasts decent pace and is an excellent dribbler with the ball out on the wide areas. He is also versatile enough to feature on either wing which makes him a useful squad player. The Bournemouth outcast can read the game well which enables him to create some decent goal-scoring chances in the opposition half. The Scottish playmaker can also chip in with a few goals when he is playing with confidence on the pitch. However, his lack of consistency this season has seen his reputation take a significant hit in English football.
Did The Toffees Make The Right Call By Dropping Their Interest in Fraser?
There is no doubt that the Cherries winger is good enough to be an important asset in the Toffees squad. His versatility, coupled with quickness, make him an attractive free agent for any of his potential suitors before the start of the new campaign. Furthermore, he would have added some healthy competition for the likes of Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi at Merseyside in the coming seasons.
However, recruiting a player as unsettled as Fraser could prove to be a risky move for Everton even if it is on a free transfer as he might end up disrupting the chemistry of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. At 26, Fraser needs to ensure more first-team opportunities which Ancelotti cannot guarantee at Goodison Park next season. Thus, the Merseyside outfit has made the right call by dropping their interest in Fraser and moving on to some of their other transfer targets ahead of the new campaign.
