After Seamus Coleman suffered a horrific injury whilst on international duty with Ireland, Everton are planning to sign a new right-back in the summer, according to a report in the Liverpool Echo.
Whilst Mason Holgate has played well as Coleman’s replacement, Everton need to improve their options as they look set to be playing European football next year and as such, they need the ability to rotate when needed.
So, if the Toffees are in the market for a new right-back, who should they be looking to sign? It can be difficult to buy a player who knows he’ll likely be a backup option once a starter returns to full fitness, but that’s an issue Everton need to find a solution too.
We’ve taken a look at a few of the possible options:
Cuco Martina
Ronald Koeman reportedly tried to sign Cuco Martina from Southampton in the summer. His contract runs out at the end of the season so he would be a cheap option.
Kieran Trippier
Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier is good enough to be a Premier League starter but finds himself on the bench at Spurs most weeks as Kyle Walker is the first-choice. A move makes sense for him but he might not fancy a move to Everton as he’d likely be back on the bench when Coleman is fit.
Bacary Sagna
Bacary Sagna’s contract with Man City is about to expire and he looks set to leave. He could be a decent short-term option.
Pablo Zabaleta
Funnily enough, City’s other right back; Pablo Zabaleta, is also out of contract and is being linked with a move to West Ham. He too would be a very useful squad player.
Carl Jenkinson
At age 25, Carl Jenkinson’s career has stalled. After a good loan at West Ham, an injury set him back and he never really recovered. He’s nowhere near the first team at Arsenal now so a move looks likely. However, he reportedly didn’t sign for Crystal Palace in January as his wage demands were too high so that could be one stumbling block if Everton do want him.
Adam Smith
Bournemouth’s Adam Smith took a while to get himself established as a player after numerous loans away from Tottenham, but after signing permanently for the Cherries, he’s shown that he’s a decent player.
Mathieu Debuchy
Another forgotten man is Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy. The one-time starter is now nowhere near the team and is likely to move. Aged 31, he might be comfortable with a place as a rotational squad player,
Ronald Koeman
Is there another option who you think Everton should target as a rotational right-back?