Everton supporters have been pretty downbeat in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their side produce a largely flat performance in drawing 1-1 with Premier League strugglers Swansea City on Saturday.
Sam Allardyce’s men went into their clash with the South Wales club off the back of a 0-0 draw with Merseyside rivals Liverpool in their last league outing, yet they did taste success in their most recent away clash, winning 2-1 at Stoke City. And they looked on course for another three points when a Kyle Naughton own goal gave them the lead at the Liberty Stadium, although Jordan Ayew’s strike 19 minutes from time secured a crucial point for Carlos Carvalhal’s Swans, in turn keeping Everton in ninth place in the Premier League table.
Consequently, there have been many frustrated Evertonians in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom weren’t overly impressed with their team’s display in South Wales on Saturday, with Allardyce coming in for criticism from much of the away support following the draw.
In the meantime though, there has been much for our resident Toffees fans to get their teeth into, not least reports from last week suggesting that Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham have joined Newcastle in the chase for Kenedy this summer.
But with wingers Yannick Bolasie and Theo Walcott somewhat misfiring of late, Allardyce’s Everton should seek to join the pursuit of the £6.3 million-rated star (as per Transfermarkt).
Ultimately, while Walcott made a fine start to life at Goodison Park following his arrival from Arsenal in January, neither he nor Bolasie have shone for the Toffees in recent weeks, with just one goal between them since Walcott bagged a brace against Leicester City back in January.
And with only one assist as well (Walcott setting up Cenk Tosun in victory over Stoke), it’s clear that they are both very much struggling to turn their ability into direct contributions this term, despite it being clear that they both have genuine quality at Premier League level.
And if Everton are serious about moving to the next level next season, they need more from their attacking stars.
And Kenedy could be the right man given that he has produced the goods for Newcastle since his arrival on loan from Chelsea back in January, with the 22-year-old netting twice and laying on two assists in nine Premier League appearances for Rafa Benitez’s side from the left side of midfield.
Significantly though, it’s evident the impact the Brazil youth international has made on the attacking ranks at St James’ Park, with the Magpies losing just one of the nine league games since his signing back in January, in which time they have scored 13 goals – ultimately, they look a different side going forward since his arrival.
Kenedy has always carried a genuine attacking threat when on the field for Newcastle this term, and has even translated some of that into direct contributions to suggest that, at the tender age of 22, he could go on and become a quality midfielder at Premier League level.
And Everton should seek to lure him to Goodison Park this summer.
Bolasie and Walcott have somewhat flattered to deceive in recent weeks having failed to make a meaningful impact in Allardyce’s side, and with Kenedy significantly younger than the duo, he could be the perfect man to help fire Everton towards top six contention next season.
It won’t be easy for the Toffees though, such is the reported interest of the aforementioned trio, but due to the misfiring Bolasie and Walcott, the Merseysiders must seek to join the race for the 22-year-old, who has certainly proven his top-flight credentials in recent weeks.
Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
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