Why Everton must make a January swoop for Franck Kessie
According to Calciomercato, Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing midfielder Franck Kessie from AC Milan. The report claims that AC Milan are not interested in selling the 21-year-old but Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are playing in the Premier League this season after winning automatic promotion from the Championship at the end of 2017/18 campaign, are interested in the midfield ace.
Franck Kessie, 21, joined AC Milan on a two-year loan deal from Atalanta last summer with an obligation to make the move permanent in 2019. The Ivorian has been heavily involved with Milan this season under Gennaro Gattuso, scoring two goals and bagging an assist in eight Serie A appearances.
With Kessie thriving in Milan under the guidance of Gattuso, Everton must look to beat Wolves to the Ivorian powerhouse’s signature.
Back in December 2016, Everton wanted Kessie, who had just burst onto the scene in the Serie A after spending the previous season on loan in the second tier with Cesena. But a move never materialised and after impressing at Atalanta, Kessie moved to Milan in 2017.
Everton are doing well at the moment under new manager Marco Silva, who has managed to change the club’s style of play. Silva has instilled a dynamic approach to his Everton side, breaking the shackles off the players that underperformed last term.
The Portuguese manager brought in his set of players during the summer transfer window and most of the new signings have done very well in the new Premier League season so far.
Andre Gomes, one of Everton’s high-profile summer signings, gave a glimpse of his talent against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Gomes joined Everton on a season-long loan move from Barcelona before the close of the summer transfer window, but an injury delayed his chance to make an impact. But the Portuguese has finally made his Everton debut and could really become an important cog in Silva’s team.
Truth be told, however, Gomes is the only creative central midfielder Everton have, who can also make runs into the box. Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye are defensive-minded midfielders, while Tom Davies needs to work harder to nail down a regular place in the team.
Since Gomes is on a season long-loan, he would return to Barcelona at the end of the campaign, leaving Everton light in central midfield once again.
Keeping that in mind, Everton should make a move for Franck Kessie in January, although it would be difficult to get him on board midway through the season. Kessie is now one of Serie A’s most accomplished midfielders, a player blessed with a fantastic engine and physicality.
The Ivorian excels with his tactical awareness and has the tendency to run at defenders with pace. He is a top-tackler, aggressive, quick and is capable of playing those defence-splitting passes.
Read more: 4 goals in 9 games – Everton’s £45m star could be the man to guide Everton to a top-6 finish this season
Kessie is certain to improve the quality of play at Everton if he arrives for the second part of this season. Hence, Silva and Everton must go all out to sign the Ivorian in January even if it means breaking the bank again.