Signing These Two Players On Top Of Pickford And Klaassen Could Mean Everton Are Strong Top 4 Contenders

Two Players Who Would Make Everton Finish In The Top-4

Everton FC have taken a strong step forward in this summer transfer window showcasing their ambitions for this season with the announcement of Jordan Pickford. The 23-year-old will be a direct replacement for Maarten Stekelenburg in the first team. The former Sunderland FC goalkeeper was the only bright spot of a disastrous season for the Black Cats last term.

Pickford was one of the brightest young players in the Premier League last season which earned him a nomination for PFA’s Young Player of the Year award which eventually went to England international, Dele Alli. Although the signing of Pickford shows great ambition from the club. The arrival of Davy Klaassen is a huge sign of encouragement and the recruitment simply cannot stop there. With Barkley and Lukaku almost certain to leave, Everton probably need two more players to challenge for a top-4 finish next season.

So let’s take a look at two players who could make a significant contribution Everton’s quest of securing Champions League football.

Olivier Giroud

This choice might raise a few eyebrows but frankly, Olivier Giroud is one of the most underrated strikers in the world. This has been the case throughout his career. Although he may not be as good as Romelu Lukaku, it is not really easy to replace Lukaku considering the way he has played for Everton. Giroud is someone who has done it already. He has fought for a top-4 finish with Arsenal all these years and has played in Champions League as well. Now that Arsenal aren’t in the Champions League, it wouldn’t take too much of convincing to do to make him join Everton. Giroud is one of the best targetmen in the game right now and with Davy Klaassen having arrived already, there will not be any short of supply to the striker. He is a really good finisher and aids the team during the build-up play. Considering the fact that Klaassen is a goalscoring attacking midfielder (scored 20 goals and 12 assists last season), the Frenchman would be the perfect striker to complement him. It wouldn’t be that bad after all to have one of France’s top choice strikers playing in your team, would it?

Gylfi Sigurdsson

The charismatic footballer from Iceland is undoubtedly another one of the most underrated footballers in the Premier League. Ever since his move to Swansea City in 2014, the Icelandic international has managed to put in consistent performances for the club and has managed to win the hearts of the fans with his relentless work rate and never say die attitude. Sigurdsson is also a set-piece specialist and scored some fantastic free kicks for the Swans last season. The addition of Sigurdsson will surely give Everton an advantage in set-piece situations. A Gylfi Sigurdsson delivery and an Olivier Giroud header sounds like a good combination to me.

In case these two players do end up at Goodison Park this season, the future of midfielder Ross Barkley will fall into doubt. Koeman can certainly pay up for these players with the money that would come from Romelu Lukaku’s sale this summer.