View: Everton target Spence could be long-term Coleman replacement
Everton are reportedly among the teams who are completing regular checks on Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence.
According to TEAMtalk, the Toffees have joined Wolves, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United in expressing an interest in the right-back.
Spence has been highly thought of at Middlesbrough for some time and is enjoying a great season under Neil Warnock currently, with the Championship side pushing for promotion to the Premier League.
Having recently earned comparisons to England duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Spence could be a great long-term option for the Toffees, who may want to start thinking about a potential Seamus Coleman replacement.
You only have to look at the performances of Lucas Digne prior to his injury to see how important the full-back role is in for Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park.
The Frenchman has registered four Premier League assists this season, more than any other player in the Toffees squad.
Spence shares a similar attacking nature and a quick look at his heatmap in the Championship – courtesy of Wyscout – this season gives you an insight into the type of positions he likes to take up.
Should he make the move to Goodison Park, Spence would offer Ancelotti a new element of versatility, having been used as a full-back, wing-back and as a more attacking right-sided midfielder this season under Warnock.
The comparisons to Alexander-Arnold start to make sense when you see that Spence is currently inside the top 20 Championship players for successful progressive passes per 90 minutes this season [Wyscout].
With Coleman being such a creative outlet for Everton over the years, they will not want to lose any of that attacking intent in his long-term replacement.
It has not been just this season where Spence has been catching the eye, however, with his form last season resulting in interest from Tottenham.
Jose Mourinho is said to be a long-term admirer, having been made aware of his potential when he was coming through the ranks at Fulham alongside his son.
At 32 years of age, Everton will need to start planning for life without Coleman and Spence is a player who has his best years ahead of him, potentially in the Premier League if recent reports are anything to go by.
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