Koeman hands out of favour striker a lifeline
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has sprung something of a surprise today, admitting that Oumar Niasse has a chance to resurrect his Everton career.
The Senegalese forward has been exiled under Koeman since the Dutchman’s arrival in 2016, and this has seen him destined for an exit from Goodison Park.
However, with striking options currently limited for Everton, Niasse has been handed a lifeline by Koeman who, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo, addressed the media today.
Niasse is back in the first team. He did a training session today. It gives us another option for the striking position.
It’s not necessary to speak any more about what happened last season I found that now is the right time to bring him back to the first team. He’s an Everton player and sometimes in life you need to give some opportunities.
Niasse spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City. Although he could not do enough to help them stay afloat in the Premier League, he showed glimpses of quality, perhaps altering Koeman’s opinion of the former Lokomotiv Moscow man.
Niasse was signed in the January transfer window back in 2016 for a fee in the region of £13.5 million but has flattered to deceive, establishing himself very much as a fringe player with the Toffees.