Why Everton should splash the cash for Goncalo Paciencia
Reports from the Record (h/t Liverpool Echo) suggest that Everton manager Marco Silva has identified Goncalo Paciencia as a priority signing in the January transfer window.
The report also claims that Everton are willing to splash €15m for the striker whereas Eintracht Frankfurt are expecting €20m for the player.
Everton are languishing in the 15th spot currently and their strikers have not been up to the mark. They have scored just 13 goals in the league so far and seem to be having a poor run of form.
Summer recruit Moise Kean hasn’t exhibited his goalscoring potential and as a result, the Toffees have shown no signs of improvement. Groomed at Porto, Paciencia moved to Germany in the summer of 2018 and this season, he has already scored 9 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Paciencia’s form has improved this season after the departures of Luka Jovic, Ante Rebic and Sebastien Haller. With the centre-forward position all to himself, the attacker’s contributions also earned him a place in the Portuguese national team for the recently concluded Euro qualifiers.
He made his first international appearance back in 2017 as a substitute and his first full international debut came against Lithuania last week. He displayed a brilliant performance, scoring one and assisting one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s three goals.
Paciencia has taken great strides to develop himself after several loan spells during his time at FC Porto. This season, he has put in several match-winning performances for the German outfit.
Meanwhile, Everton’s top-scorers so far are Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin with 3 goals each in the league. Everton are in a poor run of form and they need a striker who can score a handful of goals.
Considering Paciencia’s form for Frankfurt, the Toffees can hope to revive their prominent status in the league. Though he is not very fast, the Portuguese can add fire to their blunt attack.
According to whoscored, Paciencia has registered an average of 2.9 shots, 1.5 key passes while winning 2.4 aerial duels per game. He also averages successful passes at a rate of 66.9%.
Though Paciencia’s numbers may not be on his side, his development over the past 12 months has been outstanding.
Paciencia, along with Calvert-Lewin and the in-form Richarlison, could come to Everton’s rescue and Marco Silva must aim to add him to the squad as soon as possible.
Read more
- Why Artem Dzyuba could be a solution to Everton’s goalscoring woes
- Why Everton should recall Joao Virginia from loan in January
- Why Everton must plot a January swoop for Willian Jose
Verdict
Everton finished their last two seasons in the top half of the table but this time around, things look different.
Thus, Marco Silva and Everton can benefit from the striker’s arrival, given his tremendous improvement in form. At 25, he seems to be perfect for the Premier League.