Emile Heskey applauds Everton ability to attract players like Kalidou Koulibaly
Emile Heskey is impressed by Everton potentially being able to attract players like Kalidou Koulibaly to Merseyside.
The ex-England striker was referring to a report from Tutto Mercato, which suggests the centre-back is a summer target for Everton.
Koulibaly played under Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli and the link means the Italian could convince the 29-year-old to join.
Sharing his view on the prospective transfer, pundit Heskey told HITC, “Would Koulibaly have been looking at Everton as the type of club he could go to if Ancelotti wasn’t there? Probably not.
“It’s great for Everton to be able to attract players like this. They are onwards and upwards.
“It’s about having the right structure, the right vision, and Everton have that now – they can attract the best defender in the world, in his prime.”
Would be a coup
Signing Koulibaly would be a real display of ambition and is the type of addition that could really galvanise both the squad and the fans.
He would bring Champions League experience but more importantly the reputation of being one of the best in the world in his position.
That is a tag Ancelotti placed on Koulibaly in 2019, during a period when the centre-back was being courted by Manchester United and had an asking fee of £129million, per the Independent.
“Koulibaly is the best centre-back in the world – and he has more room for improvement,” said Ancelotti.
At 6 foot 4 Koulibaly is a towering presence and on average has won two aerials per game, per WhoScored.
He is also technically gifted, managing 88% pass accuracy, and could help transform us into a side that passes out from the back effectively.
Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey would learn a great deal from him too, so there is little doubt he would be a superb signing.
In other Everton news, we are reportedly in the hunt to sign a £17.3m-rated right-back who is ‘perfect’ for the Premier League.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.