View: N’Zonzi would be smart addition to Everton midfield amid reported Toffees interest
Everton are being linked with a move to sign Steven N’Zonzi, with the Frenchman’s future up in the air.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Roma are in discussions to cancel the player’s contract, despite his impressive form in Ligue 1.
This had resulted in a scurry of interest in his services, with Rennes reportedly offering him a two-year deal.
As well as the Ligue 1 side, Arsenal and Everton are said to be among his admirers and for the Toffees, he could be a smarter signing than reported target Sami Khedira [talkSPORT].
As per Wyscout, N’Zonzi has been among the best midfielders throughout Ligue 1 this season.
No player has made more passes than the French international and only Paris Saint-German trio Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera average more passes per 90 minutes.
However, on the ball, N’Zonzi is not a player who passes for the sake of passing. He is positive on the ball and has completed the most amount of passes into the final third out of any player in Ligue 1 this season.
That ability and calmness on the ball could be an invaluable addition to Ancelotti’s Everton squad, who are among the teams who have conceded the most goals in the top half of the Premier League.
Since arriving at Rennes, N’Zonzi has been a very steady figure in midfield, making 22 appearances in all competitions.
The Foot Mercato report also cite him as a major role in the rapid development of Eduardo Camavinga, which could be another reason for Everton to bring him in, with Carlo Ancelotti eager to develop the next generation of Toffees talent.
Sami Khedira has been heavily linked with a move to Everton in recent weeks, but on that evidence, N’Zonzi could be the better option.
While N’Zonzi may not quite have the footballing CV that Khedira has, he has a much better injury history when compared to the German and that might just make him a more reliable option.
With the former Stoke City man a year younger as well, the financial differences between the two could make this a no-brainer for Everton.
In other Everton news, Tactical switch could bring the best out of Richarlison after dip in form