Whelan raves over ‘unreal’ potential Everton signing
One of the most intriguing aspects of Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as Everton manager was the possibility of him signing players he’s previously worked with.
Given that he’s worked in historic footballing cities like Milan, London, Paris, Madrid and Munich, that’s pretty exciting for the Toffees faithful.
However, we’ve yet to see his influence tell in the transfer market at Goodison Park. Still, there’s a chance that it could play a part in the months and years to come.
One player who Ancelotti has worked with who could be joining him on Merseyside, is Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, who Everton are reportedly keen on.
Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan certainly feels that the Colombian international would be a fine signing for the Blues.
“I think it’s always a gamble, but like I say, when you’ve got certain managers and somebody with the reputation of Ancelotti, he commands a lot of respect,” he told Football Insider.
“If somebody’s going to get the best out of a player it’s going to be a manager like that. He obviously knows he’s got massive potential, everybody knows that. He’s never really hit the heights of his potential.
“He can be unreal, so we know that potential’s there, but you’re then coming to the hardest league in the world. You have to get the potential out of him if he’s going to be a superstar for Everton.”
Is Whelan right about this potential deal?
He is, yes. Rodriguez would be a risky deal, because you don’t know what you’re going to get. It’s not like he’s been on top form in recent years.
Ancelotti obviously knows him, but that’s no guarantee that he’d be a success. You worry that Rodriguez would turn into a Mesut Ozil if he joined the Toffees; a luxury player who proves ill-suited to the English game.
However, if the Italian can coax the playmaker into top form then he’d be a sensational signing for the Merseyside outfit.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit has ripped into a Toffees first teamer who is too ‘erratic’.