In a recent tweet, journalist Sacha Tavolieri mentioned that Everton are close to signing Olympique Lyonnais talent Orel Mangala on loan this month. It has been claimed that the Toffees are eager to sign the Belgian midfielder in this summer transfer period.
Mangala’s Impressive Loan Spell At Nottingham Forest
Mangala had a decent loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season when he put in a handful of solid displays for them at the centre of the park. The Belgian midfield ace made 22 appearances for Nottingham in the previous campaign, scoring one goal in various competitions.
The 26-year-old anchored the midfield well by averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game in the Premier League. He was even excellent when distributing the ball based on his pass completion rate of 88.6% in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at Lyon will run out in the summer of 2028 which could make it difficult for the Toffees to snap him up on a cut-price deal before the end of this month.
Should Everton Boss Sean Dyche Go For Mangala?
Mangala can read the danger well and can make some crucial interceptions for his team in the middle of the park. He is a solid tackler of the ball and usually puts his foot through the ball when needed. The Belgian sensation is a tidy passer of the ball as well. He is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also operate as a defensive midfielder if told to do so.
Mangala would add more bite and steel to Everton boss Sean Dyche’s midfield department. He has what it takes to fight for a regular starting spot at the Merseyside club in the coming seasons.
At 26, Mangala is about to enter his prime which makes him a worthy target for the Toffees to consider in this transfer window. However, there are some concerns over whether he can handle the physicality and high intensity of Premier League football if Everton manage to get him on board this summer. Still, the pros outweigh the cons of recruiting Mangala, so Dyche should focus on going for a midfielder of his quality soon.
