Why Everton Are Better Off Without Signing Josip Ilicic
As the clubs with desolate seasons turn their attention towards the summer transfer window, Merseyside club Everton are planning a swoop for Atalanta midfielder Josip Ilicic. They plan to snap him up due to the failures of their midfielders in the final third in many of the games.
The playmaker has scored 11 goals this season, the latest of them against Borussia Dortmund a couple of days ago. He has attracted scouts from the Merseyside, and the Toffees are already looking forward to the 2018-19 season. The reason is simply because of the fact that they have scored just 32 goals this season, just 9 of them on the road, which is a shame when their spending spree this summer is considered.
More On The Player
Josip Ilicic started his career in various places before setting into the Palermo outfit in 2010. He appeared 107 times for them and chipped in with 25 goals. He then joined Fiorentina, where he played 137 matches and netted 37 goals. Having joined Atalanta last summer, the midfield maestro has scored 11 goals and has created 6 of them. For the Slovenia international side, Ilicic has 50 caps under his belt. He has 5 goals for them too.
What Would He Offer The Club
Firstly, he comes with ample experience. He is well versed with various systems and structures and has the capability to direct the play according to his style and running. The Slovenian is very composed and cool with the ball and boasts a pass completion rate of almost 81%, despite playing in advanced positions.
He is a genius in possession and is good at taking set-pieces. Also to add, the 30-year-old is a long-range specialist. If he were to be compared, he is very similar to Gylfi Sigurdsson in terms of style and service.
Worth The Buy?
This transfer is an absolute waste of money and talent should it happen. Everton have splashed the cash on landing too many number 9s and 10s including Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the attacking midfield role and already have Oumar Niasse, Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott in their ranks. Also considering the age factor, the Atalanta midfielder is already 30 and is sure to add unwanted prowess in the lineup.
He has no experience of the Premier League and will remain a major doubt in terms of the performance index simply due to a lack of pace and buzz to play in this prestigious league. This simply means Toffees need to diverge their attention and focus on other areas if they are aiming for the European competitions next term.
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