Ronald Koeman has taken quite the gamble leaving Southampton. Leaving a side that has been so successful, especially last year where he guided them to a 6th place finish and a place in the Europa League. However, the Toffees’ fans in the Football Transfer tavern aren’t worried about that, they just want to see who he is planning on bringing in during the window.
To leave therefore, to an Everton side that finished 11th, a side that needs some significant work to there first team, quite the risk. Even more so if Lukaku and John Stones decide to leave.
Toffees’ fans however, will be delighted to recruit a manager that achieved so much in his two years with The Saints, a man who filled Pochettino’s shoes after he left for Spurs, and even managed to progress the team further.
One thing he did at Southampton was create a stable squad and rebuilt a team which had so many departures. One thing that will certainly fill the fans on Merseyside with confidence. Especially with the loss of Howard in goal, and the potential to lose Stones in defence and Lukaku upfront, those at Goodison Park will very much feel like they have lost the spine of their team.
Everton will be keeping a keen eye on the Euro 2016 Semi-Finals this week to see if there is anyone who can ignite Koeman’s revolution.
Here’s three who might be on the Dutchman’s radar…
Bernd Leno
Germany’s third choice keeper at this tournament. Don’t let this fool you though, he is sitting behind Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, so it is by no means a poor reflection on the goalkeeper.
At club level he is Bayern Leverkusen’s shot stopper, and despite only being young for a goalkeeper, at 24, he has already gained a wealth of experience, racking up a total of 304 club appearances already.
With Howard ending his 10 year stay on Merseyside this year, the German international could be the perfect young replacement, who is only likely to go up in value as his career continues.
Benedikt Howedes
Considered to be a defensive all rounder, Bendikt Howedes would be a terrific signing for most Premier League clubs, able to play at both centre half and full back.
The 28-year-old has bags of experience, with a World Cup winners medal under his belt, however, This wouldn’t be the easiest transfer for Koeman to pull off. The 28-year-old recently signed a new contract at Schalke committing him to the club until 2020, not to mention he is their captain.
With the new boss at Goodison reportedly being given £100 million transfer budget, Schalke could be persuaded to cash in on their captain.
Hal Robson-Kanu
Robson-Kanu’s impressive displays at Euro 2016 have generated offers from around the world according to the Daily Mail, and it is not hard to see why.
A free agent after leaving championship side, Reading at the end of the season, the attacker has scored twice in the competition including an all important spectacular goal, which took Wales to the Semi-Finals last week.
Despite Everton’s increased transfer budget, it would be hard to turn down a free transfer who will be running on utter confidence after such a sensational Euro’s display.
