Everton are reportedly amongst the clubs interested in battling it out for Nicolas Tagliafico’s signature this summer.
According to French outlet Le10Sport (via Sportslens), Ajax have suitors lining up to bid for the left-back, with Leicester and Everton registering interest.
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The Argentina international has put in some solid defensive performances as well as attacking bursts going forwards. This season, Tagliafico has registered 15 clean sheets alongside five goals and seven assists across all competitions (via Transfermarkt).
A defender who has the ability to get forward is proving to be a popular trend in the Premier League at the moment. Trent Alexander-Arnold is of course a fine example of this. Everton’s own Lucas Digne is another attacking full-back, assisting five times in the league this campaign. But with similar stats to Tagliafico, what has Carlo Ancelotti got planned?
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It could very much be a battle for the shirt if talks come to fruition and the Blues bring the 27-year-old to Goodison Park.
Digne has proved a very useful servant to the Merseyside outfit so far, competing with Leighton Baines for his place in the starting XI. However, it’s curious that Ancelotti is eyeing up a move for another left-back.
Despite having similar offensive stats, Tagliafico has done better across the back-line. The Argentine averages a higher passing accuracy (85.9%) and more tackles per game (2.5) than Digne, who averages 74.9% passing and 2.2 tackles in their respective leagues (via WhoScored).
It’s unclear what the club’s motive is behind bringing in a senior player who would not take kindly to being benched, but there definitely won’t be room for two hungry left-backs. The addition of Tagliafico will either provide balance and healthy competition, or will spell the end of Digne’s time in blue.
What’s your take, Everton fans? Have your say in the comments below…
