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Everton’s defence needs help, this is known. Previous to the two back-to-back clean sheets last week, the Blues had already shipped 28 goals in 13 games, one of the worst records in the Premier League.
Ashley Williams has been in brutal form this season, and has been surpassed by the even-older club captain Phil Jagielka in the pecking order. Centerpiece Michael Keane has had some fitness issues and seems to have lost his way in recent weeks with some horrendous performances. Mason Holgate has spent extended amounts of time out at right back before Jonjoe Kenny stepped in, but looked half-decent against some poor opposition last week.
Runaway League-leaders Manchester City are looking to bolster their defensive ranks as they look to mount a European challenge. Pep Guardiola already saw two bids for West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans rebuffed over the summer, but ESPN are reporting that Pep could be back again in January. The article adds that Arsenal and Everton could also be involved in the conversation, with both sides needing to add central defensive depth.
New manager at the Baggies Alan Pardew has already said that Evans is a big part of his side, but could also be tempted by the prices being mentioned for the center half to rebuild his side during the winter transfer window.
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Evans would certainly be a welcome addition for the Blues backline - the 6’2” defender would form a big centerback pairing with his former Manchester United Keane providing some solidity. The knock on the Northern Ireland international however has always been his weakness in the air despite his height and his current season stats don’t make good reading, especially on a woeful Baggies team.
Overall, spending £30million on a 29-year-old defender who has likely already hit his peak is the kind of decision-making that got Williams to Everton, and is a mistake that should not be repeated. Everton would be much better off flashing that kind of cash on the Continent, and trying to steal away a defender like Stefan de Vrij, Stefan Savic or even Konstantinos Manolas.