Sport nationSammie Szmodics, the prolific Blackburn Rovers midfielder, is in high demand this summer, with Everton among several Premier League clubs interested in signing him. Szmodics scored an impressive 27 league goals last season, almost single-handedly keeping Rovers in the Championship.
However, former Leeds United boss Simon Grayson believes Szmodics may be better off joining a top-end Championship side with parachute payments, rather than a Premier League club like Everton. Grayson thinks Szmodics may have a better chance of returning to the Premier League with a stronger Championship team, rather than being a squad player in the top flight.
Everton’s financial situation makes it difficult for them to sign big-money players from other Premier League clubs, so targeting the second tier could be a smart move. The Toffees have already lost attacking talent, including loanees Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma, and may need to find a replacement for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is out of contract in 12 months.
Szmodics’ playing style may not resemble Calvert-Lewin’s, but his impressive goal-scoring record cannot be ignored by Everton, who scored the second-lowest number of goals in the Premier League last season. Adding Szmodics to the team could have a transformative effect, especially if he plays behind a leading striker like Abdoulaye Doucoure.
While Szmodics won’t come cheap, he will be more affordable than most 33-goal scorers in other leagues. Signing him would be a solid start to a crucial summer of business for Everton manager Sean Dyche at Goodison Park.
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