Three Alternatives For Olivier Giroud Who Everton Can Target
In the summer, Everton were interested in signing Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who had left Goodison Park for Manchester United.
Giroud, 31, at one point, reportedly wanted to leave Arsenal, with interest from Marseille, Lyon, West Ham and Everton after the Gunners had made their record-signing, Alexandre Lacazette. However, Giroud poured cold water over all the speculation and no move materialised.
Everton’s hopes of signing the Frenchman were dented but the club signed Sandro Ramirez from Malaga, while prodigal son Wayne Rooney returned from Manchester United on a free transfer.
Fast forward to October, Everton are placed 16th in the Premier League table, only two points above the relegation zone. Ronald Koeman’s side has won just twice in the 7 league games, losing four and drawing once.
The Toffees, regardless of spending £140m in the summer, have struggled, and statistics highlight that Koeman’s problems are in the striking department. They have been absolutely shambolic in defence, having shipped in 12 goals, and have been lacklustre in the attack, scoring only 4 goals. It is apparent that Everton haven’t yet filled the giant shoes that Lukaku vacated in the summer.
It’s only October and Koeman is already feeling the heat. If he stays until January, here are three options the Dutchman should consider taking a look at.
Vincent Aboubakar
Vincent Aboubakar is a player who fits the profile of the forwards that Everton are looking at. The 25-year-old Porto striker inspired Besiktas to the Super Lig title during a loan spell last season, and is currently having a similar impact at Porto, who have won 5 out 6 of their Primeira Liga games in 2017/18.
The Cameroonian international finished last season with a tally of 19 goals and 4 assists from all competitions. He was also part of the Cameroon national team that won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
An imposing figure, Aboubakar has all the traits a centre-forward should have. He has pace, power, physicality and finishing that makes him a nuisance for the defenders to deal with. At 6 ft 1⁄2 in, he is a strong customer in the air and has the ability to bully defences.
A week ago, the Cameroonian swept aside last season’s Champions League semi-finalists Monaco to the sword with a fine brace in the group stage clash in the principality. Everton should try and sign the forward in January to solve their goal-scoring woes.
Christian Benteke
Crystal Palace sit at the bottom of the Premier League, having lost all seven of their league games so far this season without scoring a single goal. To add to their misery, striker Christian Benteke, who joined Palace for a club-record £27m last summer, has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a knee injury.
Benteke’s absence will hurt Palace, and it will be a damage to their relegation-battle if the centre-forward gets lured away by a top club.
A towering targetman and one of the league’s most fearsome strikers on his day, Benteke’s 15 league goals kept Palace up last season. He appears to be the player Koeman needs, as Everton are lacking a presence up top.
Koeman, without any second thought, should go for the big Belgian in January if Palace seem aimless by then. Benteke, who is yet to open his account this season, will surely relish the services provided by club-record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney and co.
Cheick Diabate
Clock is ticking for Ronald Koeman and his time at Goodison Park could be up if he fails to start delivering wins. Everton desperately need a targetman and that could force manager Koeman dip into the free agent market.
Malian forward Cheick Diabate is a free agent, having terminated his contract with Turkish side Osmanlispor. Certainly, he fits the targetman bill, possessing great size, force, strength and aerial prowess.
Diabate, 29, found the net 14 times in 30 games across spells with Osmanlispor and Metz last season. He has many of the attributes that Koeman is looking for, and should Everton consider attacking reinforcements, Diabate could prove to be an ideal acquisition.