Everton Still Need a New Starting Centre-Back
Everton may need to plan beyond Tarkowski and Keane, even with their recent contributions. The case here is for a younger starting centre-back, with three names put forward as potential fits.
Some may disagree with this and I can understand why in a lot of ways. I think it is important that Everton sign a centre-back in the summer, and particularly to replace Tarks as an out and out starter.
Our recent signings have been a decent age profile to bring the age of the squad down, but we have two centre-backs that are 33 years old. I understand longevity of players has gone up, but Tarks, nor Keane, will get any better for us.
Where the current centre-backs are at
Branthwaite is by far and away the best defender at the club. O'Brien has done very well when he has played in the middle, to be fair to him. Keane has indisputably had his best season for us in almost a decade of football.
Tarks himself has been a brilliant buy for this football club, there is no disputing that, no matter how you slice it. He arrived on a free, his fitness record is and always has been phenomenal, and he has been the right man for the job in the situation that we have found ourselves in, in recent years.
I do think though that this season, his performances have taken a dip.
The worry: positioning and repeat patterns
Everyone knows what his strengths are as a defender: he is all-action, blocks, interceptions and full-blooded sliding tackles. I do think though that as a result of those strengths, some of his other attributes can be ignored.
His positioning can be criminal. The Chris Wood goal a couple of seasons ago springs to mind, his and Keane's tendency to mirror one another and ball watch out attackers out wide, continually running all the way onto Pickford's toes, not once scanning to see where the danger is around them, and cue the simple cut-back into our net.
I am not saying he is not good enough to start for us anymore by any means, but he isn't getting any younger. If we want to improve and go up a level I think he should become a starter and bench player.
Three centre-back options that fit the brief
Strahinja Pavlovic. AC Milan. 24 year old Serbian international who broke through for Partizan at 17. Monaco took a punt on him but barely played him, instead loaning him out to Brugge and Basel. He then signed for RB Salzburg and had 2 solid seasons with them before AC Milan signed him last season. He is a starting centre-back for Milan, currently 2nd in Serie A and has scored 4 league goals this season. He has played upwards of 30 games in Europe (including the Champions League) and has over 50 caps for Serbia.
He is 6ft 4 and left-footed. Could be Vidic's younger, uglier and bigger brother. Plays like him too. Full-blooded in the tackle and looks to impose his physicality on the opposition. Quick across the ground for his frame so he can play in a high line as well as a low-mid block. He is always on the front-foot and looking to step up and squeeze the attackers before they have a chance to get the ball under control. A bit like JB, he is great at mopping up balls in the wide areas when teams try and spring the counter using his pace. He doesn't need to go to ground to win the ball and seems to love going shoulder to shoulder and bullying opponents, but is clean and aggressive should he go to ground.
Not sure if this is realistic due to AC Milan's current league position but the allure of the Premier League and potential European football to offer might be enough to turn his head. Not to mention that he would instantly become adored by an entire fanbase given his playing style and likely to become a cult hero when he heads one home in the derby at Anfield.
Rafa Marin. On loan from Napoli to Villareal. Option to buy for £15 million. 23 year old Spaniard who came through at Madrid, although he never played for the first team. They are rumoured to retain buy-back rights at a certain fee. He had a year at Alaves before Napoli signed him, where he won the league with them last year but only played 4 games. He signed on loan to Villareal and they are currently sat 3rd in La Liga.
He is 6ft 3 and right-footed. Dominant in the air and still growing into his frame. Technically decent on the ball, probably due to his Spanish roots and is by no means slow. I would say he is better suited to a Moyes team as he prefers to adopt the low-mid block, rather than a high line.
If he gets Champions League with Villareal, it will make things more difficult. Otherwise, he could be available for a modest fee in todays game.
Charlie Cresswell. Toulouse. 23 year old England U21 international teammate of Mr Branthwaite. Ex-Leeds, got shipped out to Ligue 1 and has improved dramatically. He is 6ft 3 and incredibly dominant in the air and has a knack for scoring goals for club and country. A bit like Pavlovic, likes to step in on defenders and suffocate them with his pressure. Great at defending direct play like crosses or corners. Good levels of concentration in the box and is an organiser.
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