Amina UmarEverton’s Striker Conundrum: Why Nketiah is the AnswerEverton’s struggles in the transfer market have been well-documented, with the club’s careless spending habits leading to financial woes and points deductions. The signings of Yannick Bolasie and Cenk Tosun, which cost the club a combined £40m, were nothing short of disasters, with both players departing on free transfers at the end of their contracts.
Current first-team member Neal Maupay, who cost the club £15m in 2022, has also failed to impress, scoring just two goals in his time at Goodison Park.Maupay’s lack of form has seen him shipped out on loan to former side Brentford, where he has scored eight times in the 2023/24 campaign. However, his time at Everton looks set to come to an end, with the club reportedly looking to sell the Frenchman to fund a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.Nketiah, who is valued at around £30m by the Gunners, has been linked with a move to Goodison Park, along with Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Wolves.
The 25-year-old has been dubbed “incredibly clinical” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and his stats from last season’s Premier League campaign make for impressive reading.When compared to current Everton forward Beto, Nketiah blows him out of the water. Despite featuring in four fewer league matches, Nketiah has produced four more goal contributions than the Portuguese forward. He has also averaged double the amount of goals and assists per 90, a figure that would add much-needed goals to a Toffees attack that only managed 40 league strikes last season.Nketiah’s all-round game is also heads and tails above that of Beto.
He has averaged more shots on target, a better pass completion rate, and has won more aerial battles, despite his smaller presence. His ability to link up with midfielders and win battles in the air makes him a much more effective centre-forward than Beto.While Nketiah may be an expensive addition, he would certainly be a different option at the top end of the pitch for the Blues. His quality would add much-needed depth to the frontline and potentially solve the club’s goalscoring woes.
In conclusion, Everton’s struggles in the transfer market have led to financial woes and points deductions. The club’s careless spending habits have seen them sign players who have failed to impress, with Neal Maupay being the latest example. However, the sale of Maupay could fund a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, who would be a much-needed upgrade on current forward Beto. Nketiah’s stats from last season’s Premier League campaign make for impressive reading, and his all-round game is heads and tails above that of Beto. His addition would add much-needed quality to the frontline and potentially solve the club’s goalscoring woes.
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