Why Everton should make a January swoop for Wendell

Back in June 2018, a report from Daily Mail had claimed Everton were interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Wendell as a replacement for Leighton Baines. However, a deal didn’t go through and the Toffees ended up signing Lucas Digne from Barcelona.

Lucas Digne, 26, got off to a slow start as he got to grips with the tougher rigours of English football. But he quickly improved, regaining his place in the French national team with some excellent performances at left-back.

He scored four goals and added five assists in all competitions last season and has already started this season with a goal and three assists.

The Frenchman capped off a brilliant first season at the Goodison Park by winning Everton’s Player of the Year. The 26-year-old, at the moment, looks like following that up with another brilliant year at Goodison Park on an individual level.

Even though the Toffees are struggling, having lost four Premier League games in a row, Digne hasn’t stopped impressing with his consistent displays. The Merseysiders would loathe losing him as he is their long-term Leighton Baines replacement.

Baines, 34, signed a 12-month contract extension at the Goodison Park over the summer but he hasn’t been seen in any league games this season. He is past his prime and is apparently not challenging Digne for a spot Marco Silva’s starting XI.

Thus, Everton would need another left-back to cover and compete with Digne as Baines is likely to leave the club at the end of the season. With that in mind, the January transfer window would be the right time for the Toffees to reignite their interest in Wendell.

Wendell, 26, has been playing in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen since 2014 and has made over a century of appearances for them.

Called up for the Brazil squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela in October 2016, he is still yet to win a full cap despite representing them at Under-20 and U23 level.

The Brazilian has started the new Bundesliga campaign well, bagging two assists in 10 games across all competitions. With Wendell having just two years left on his contract, Everton could bag a bargain deal for him in January.

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Wendell has gone on to become one of Bundesliga’s most consistent left-backs. He is a very attack-minded full-back with a great eye for an early cross and pace to burn.

The former Brazil Under-23 international offers both defensive and attacking qualities and has decent European experience. All in all, he could be the right player to compete with Digne for a berth in Silva’s starting XI.

Verdict

Wendell has done well for Leverkusen in the last few years and would be a solid addition to Everton’s defensive ranks.