Sam Allardyce may have managed to pull Everton into the top half of the points table but he has a lot of work to do if he is to take them to Europe in the near future. He has a decent squad at his disposal but is evidently looking at star players, who can improve the squad for the next season. One such player, they are expected to make a move for in the summer is Serie A star Franck Kessie.
A transfer target for almost every top club in Europe last summer, Kessie only joined AC Milan on a loan from Atalanta but has failed to replicate his form at San Siro, picking up four goals and three assists in 25 league starts this season. He has constantly been linked with an exit recently and Manchester United seem to be leading the race for his signature.
Also wanted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, the 21-year old spoke about his dream of playing at Old Trafford and reportedly prefers to play under Jose Mourinho, who is also scouting for him at the moment. But the promise of regular playing time can help other teams lure him to England. But is he the right man for Everton?
A product of the academy at Atalanta, the Ivory Coast international has already made 19 international appearances, and 55 Serie A appearances, all at the age of 21. He has 10 goals and seven assists in this time in Italy and is a serious talent, ready for the highest stage.
A defensive minded midfielder, who loves to sit back and dictate play, Kessie is a strong and dominating presence in the middle of the park and is adept at winning the ball back by harassing the opponents. His understating of the game, positioning and concentration levels make him one of the best players in his role in Serie A at the moment.
He is rarely seen losing his head, and is usually a step ahead of his opponents and will probably walk into the first team at Goodison Park.
Allardyce has used Idrissa Gueye as the first choice midfielder this season and to good effect. But the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Tom Davies and James McCarthy, the only other options in a 2-man midfield in the manager’s 4-2-3-1 system, have just not done enough to warrant a place in the first team and Kessie is a serious upgrade on all those names.
At just 21, he is an exciting talent and is exactly the kind of players Everton need at the moment. But do you think they can beat Manchester United to his signature?
