How good is latest Chelsea youngster Everton want to borrow?
Published:According to Arsene Wenger’s world of fictional trophies and made-up leagues, his club claim a piece of silverware each time they finish in the top four and won the “stamina league” last term for staying top of the Premier League for the longest stretch of time.
If the Frenchman has fabricated a “loan league” though, there can only be one winner, as Everton used the temporary transfer strategy wonderfully last season.
Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and Gerard Deulofeu all chipped in to the club’s push for fourth-spot in Roberto Martinez’s debut season in charge of the Toffees, with the Chelsea striker perhaps the biggest contributor to the cause.
While Lukaku’s 15 Premier League goals for Everton convinced the Spaniard he should do all he can to make the Belgian a permanent signing at Goodison Park, it has also pushed him to return to the Blues for another loan signing for this term.
Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu is the target for Martinez this time around, with the 22-year-old eyed to replace Deulofeu as the fleet-footed chalk-hugger in the Everton ranks.
A look through Atsu’s career certainly indicates that he could make an impact for the 7/1 top-four shots, having enjoyed a promising loan spell with Vitesse last season and an impressive World Cup in the summer.
The former Porto youth struck five goals and registered six assists in the 28 appearances he made for the Eredivisie club, before impressing with his speedy direct running for the Black Stars in Brazil.
Having used Deulofeu, another raw wide man, brilliantly last season – often using the young Barcelona product as an impact substitute – Martinez would be the perfect Premier League coach to develop Atsu’s game.
If the Ghanaian impresses on Merseyside too, Everton could potentially land themselves another promising permanent signing on the cheap.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
