Elliott Cuff

Sat 27 March 2021 13:46, UK

Though Everton have undeniably strengthened at the back under Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian coach still hasn’t figured out his strongest defensive line-up.

Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina have all played in the centre of defence of the Toffees this season, while both Holgate and Godfrey have enjoyed stints playing in full-back roles.

Ancelotti is expected to explore potential reinforcements at the back this summer, and that has led to speculation that the former Napoli coach could seek a reunion with Kalidou Koulibaly.

However, the Toffees should avoid pursuing the Senegal international.

talkSPORT presenter Alex Crook claims that Everton hold genuine interest in the 29-year old defensive powerhouse, who Ancelotti believes would signal the club’s intent to build a world-class side fit to grace their new stadium when it officially opens.

However the Senegal international wouldn’t represent solid business from Everton, who would be paying a sizeable sum to sign someone fast approaching 30.

Everton already have an ageing squad, with this season’s signings Abdoulaye Doucoure [28], James Rodriguez [29], Josh King [29] and Allan [30] all closer to the end of their career than the beginning.

Crook claims that Everton will attempt to take advantage of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the transfer market in order to sign Koulibaly for a cheaper fee than Napoli would perhaps have ordinarily asked for, but it will still likely prove too high for someone without any sell-on value.

Everton find themselves in a difficult position; they want genuine talent, but those younger players are hard to come by because larger clubs will get in the way, and the Blues don’t have the Champions League to tempt talent.

That means they’ll likely end up chasing more experienced players who have dropped off in recent years, like James Rodriguez, but those players can only be pursued in moderation.

Everton need more recruits like Ben Godfrey, young, talented and hungry, and less players who want to reunite with Ancelotti for a pretty payday towards the end of their career, especially because that would leave the club unbalanced and in need of major restructuring in a few years time.

Koulibaly would undoubtedly improve Everton’s defence immediately, but so would so many other cheaper and younger options that would represent smarter business decisions in the long-run.

In other Everton news, the Toffees have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Lucas Vasquez this summer.