View: Everton should avoid putting their hopes in Samuel Umtiti as speculation emerges
Everton have reportedly enquired about Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti’s availability, a player that will likely make a lot of fans quite excited.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, the Blaugrana are looking to offload the French international and Everton are one of the sides that “have asked” about him.
A brilliant player at his best who was an integral part of France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning team, injuries have ravaged his career in recent seasons and it is for this very reason that Everton should steer clear.
The 27-year-old has made just two appearances for Barcelona in all competitions so far this season (via WhoScored) and this has very much been the story of his last few years. Since winning the World Cup, he has failed to make more than 13 league starts at club level in a season, while he has won just four caps for his country (via WhoScored).
Umtiti’s tackling and blocking numbers fell over the last two La Liga seasons in comparison to 2017/18, when he averaged an impressive 2 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and 0.7 blocks per match. Last season he completed just 0.8 tackles and 0.2 blocks per game, but 1.7 interceptions, albeit from just 10 league starts (via WhoScored).
However, he actually completed more short passes per 90 minutes on average over the last two La Liga seasons than he did during the 2017/18 campaign, suggesting this is an area of his game that has not necessarily diminished. Throughout his entire Barcelona career, he has completed his passes in La Liga at a rate above 90% (via WhoScored).
If Everton were to bring him in, they would also be adding to an already crowded area of the pitch. Umtiti at his best would of course start, but with Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate all jockeying for a starting berth, Carlo Ancelotti has options.
Given that Everton have conceded 18 goals from their opening 11 Premier League fixtures (via WhoScored), it is clear that they have defensive issues. However, with Godfrey and Holgate still developing and Keane establishing himself at club and international level, Ancelotti will hope that improvements are coming.
If Umtiti’s future fitness could be guaranteed then he is a player that would not be available to Everton and therefore, a move for him is a massive risk. Given that his wages would be substantial and Barcelona would want a decent fee, the Toffees are best looking to try and develop their own.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti needs more from his big summer signing