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Sean Dyche manager / head coach of Everton during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Coventry City and Everton at The Coventry Building Society …Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Everton are absolutely desperate to keep ‘outstanding’ player but it’s proving difficult
Thu 8 August 2024 07:30
Callum Davies
Everton have enjoyed a summer laden with transfer activity, but not all of it has been positive.
After all, despite welcoming in new face after new face, this has been offset with one major sacrifice, Amadou Onana’s sale to Aston Villa, and the threat of a few more given the well-documented interest in their star men.
Sean Dyche has done well to stand firm, but he will want some kind of tangible progress to show for this stubborn stance on exiting players.
Everton are still pushing to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The latest on Everton’s efforts to tie down one of their star men comes courtesy of TEAMtalk, who actually provide a hugely in-depth look into their summer plans with less than a month left of the window.
Naturally, attention might turn to the future of Jarrad Branthwaite, given he has been the most likely to depart throughout the summer, but instead, it is a different player who has the attention of this report.
Jesper Lindstrom of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End and Everton at …
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
After all, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin refusing to sign a new contract, it remains the outstanding point of contention.
Having already offered him one new deal, which was reportedly knocked back, the Toffees are undeterred in their efforts.
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This latest claim states: ‘Everton are desperate to keep the England international and are working on a new deal for him behind the scenes, but negotiations are proving difficult.’
This could be Everton’s biggest signing of the summer
Whilst they may have added a new winger, centre-back and second-striker to the squad, tying Calvert-Lewin down to another long-term deal might prove their best signing of the window.
After all, as is the case with all new signings, these acquisitions come with risks.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End and Everto…
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
There is every chance that Jake O’Brien might prove too immobile for the Premier League, or that Jesper Lindstrom fails to compete with the physicality of English football.
This is part and parcel of football, and the hope is that Kevin Thelwell has done enough due diligence to be confident that this will not be the case.
With the ‘outstanding’ Calvert-Lewin, as journalist Paddy Boyland once described him, his importance to this Everton team is already clear.
He is a paramount focal point up front, unparalleled in his hold-up play and ability in the air, and without him the side are almost always worse.
To keep him would solve an outstanding issue, make it so they don’t need to wade back into the market, and give them the perfect attacking foundation to allow these new faces like Lindstrom and Iliman Ndiaye to shine.
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DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN
James Garner of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with team mate Abdoulaye Doucoure during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sal…Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images
Sean Dyche now wants to sign 6 foot 5 ‘freak athlete’ for Everton with bids already sent
Thu 8 August 2024 06:30
Callum Davies
Everton may have tied up the bulk of their summer business, but there remains a gaping hole that still needs filling.
After all, it cannot be argued that the sale of Amadou Onana has funded their entire transfer window.
His departure to Aston Villa saw a huge influx of cash for Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche to spend, and spend they have, bringing in five players.
However, few will fill the void left by the 22-year-old. Fortunately, that is something they are now seeking to solve.
Everton ready to try and sign Amir Richardson
The latest on their pursuit of a new midfielder comes courtesy of French outlet L’Equipe, who detail the Toffees interest in Amir Richardson.
Standing at 6 foot 5, the young maestro boasts incredible guile and artistry to go with his remarkable physical frame, and for that reason, many have instantly started making comparisons between him and Onana.
Amir RICHARDSON of Morocco celebrates his goal during Paris 2024 Olympic Games match between Morocco U23 and Iraq U23 at Allianz Riviera on July 30…
Photo by Pascal Della Zuana /Icon Sport via Getty Images
The Belgian, who also joined Everton from Ligue 1, departed this summer for a £50m fee.
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This new report states that, whilst they are not alone in their efforts to acquire the midfielder, bids have already been sent.
It reads: ‘Amir Richardson (22 years old, under contract until 2027) is one of the courted Reims players. Successful Olympic Games with Morocco have only increased his rating in the market.
‘Several clubs have already positioned themselves: Ajax, Fiorentina, Roma and Everton. Some clubs have even sent an offer estimated at €9 million, excluding bonuses. Reims is waiting for €12 million (£10m), excluding bonuses.’
Who is Amir Richardson?
Having first burst onto the scene with Le Havre, a club famed for its youth production, a move to Reims is where his true potential began to be uncovered.
Now a towering midfield metronome, capable of scoring and breaking up play from the engine room, it is no surprise that he boasts such height given he is the son of American former basketball player Micheal Ray Richardson.
Such is his heritage, born in France but of American and Moroccan descent, he is eligible to play for all three of these countries, although does have three caps for the latter and also represented them at the 2024 Paris Olympics too.
A defensive powerhouse who knows where the net is too, bringing in yet another huge target would further revolutionise Dyche’s set-piece excellence.
When compared to other midfielders across Europe, Richardson sits in the top 7% for non-penalty goals per 90, the top 9% for blocks per 90 and the top 13% for clearances per 90.
La finesse technique d’Amir Richardson 🇲🇦😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TFIJwprGxv
— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) July 27, 2024
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It is this all-around mastery that led football analyst Ben Mattinson to wax lyrical about him, writing on X: ‘Amir Richardson. 6’5” freak athlete, technical profile. Moves with unheard of mobility for his height. Special profile.’
Given Onana’s progression, perhaps Thelwell could use this as a shining example of why Richardson should choose Everton as his next step over the alternatives.
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