View: Brandon Williams’ unique ability could make him perfect Everton signing in Jan
Everton are the latest team to be linked with a loan move to sign Manchester United defender Brandon Williams and the Englishman could be the perfect January addition.
According to the Athletic, Everton are a ‘genuine’ contender to bring in the defender this month and it could solve two big problems in the Toffees squad.
Injuries to both Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne have highlighted a severe lack of depth in both full-back positions throughout the first-team squad.
While Coleman has returned to action in recent weeks and Digne is closer than ever to a first-team return [Liverpool Echo], it was a worrying insight for Carlo Ancelotti, who has used four central defenders across his backline at times this season.
Williams would be a unique addition to the squad because of his invaluable ability to play on both the left and the right.
As a right-footed player, he came through the ranks at Old Trafford as a natural right-sided full-back but a lot of his game time has come on the left.
However, the arrival of summer signing Alex Telles from FC Porto means that his game time has been limited this season.
During the 2019/20 campaign, Williams made 36 first-team appearances for United across all competitions and they were split between playing as a left and a right-back.
Despite being a natural right-footer, six of his seven assists last season came when playing as a left-back, which highlights just how comfortable he is playing on the opposite side.
In recent weeks, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate have been forced to play as makeshift full-backs, but neither player has registered a single Premier League assist this season with Everton losing some of their attacking intent from wide areas.
Bringing in Williams as a player who can potentially cover or push for a first-team spot on either flank would be an extremely smart piece of business at a time when squad depth is crucial.
On the ball, Williams has proven himself to be an extremely positive defender for United. According to Wyscout, he averaged nearly three progressive runs per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season.
He also averaged close to 14 forward passes per 90 minutes during his breakthrough season at Old Trafford.
Ancelotti has confirmed that Digne is closing in on his first-team return after making a miraculous recovery from his ankle injury.
However, the Toffees will no doubt be eager to manage him carefully throughout the second half of the season, making Williams a smart addition if the club can get a deal done.
In other Everton news, Campbell hails ‘great opportunity’ in FA Cup for Everton youngster Tyler Onyango