View: Seamus Coleman can kiss goodbye to starting XI as Rafa keen on Takehiro Tomiyasu
Seamus Coleman can kiss goodbye to his starting spot at Everton if Rafa Benitez signs Bologna right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer.
According to Italian media outlet Il Resto di Carlino, the Toffees monitoring the availability of the Japanese international, who can also play as a centre-back.
Recently, Tottenham had a bid in the region of £13million turned down for the player as Bologna are holding out for £17.2million. [Sky Sports]
Apart from the two English sides, it’s also understood that West Ham and Arsenal are taking a keen interest in the player’s services as he seems to be Premier League-bound this summer.
And if Everton beat those clubs to Tomayishu’s signature, it could be curtains for Coleman in terms of his spot in the starting line-up.
Tomayishu could be the right fit for us going into next season.
We certainly need a right-back and wouldn’t mind numbers at the heart of our defence either.
Per WhoScored, he played 16 league games at centre-back and 13 at right-back last season and has fared marginally better playing on the right. That fits in perfectly for us as we’re looking to ease out the responsibilities of an ageing Coleman for someone younger and more mobile.
Coleman is 32-years-old now and will turn 33 before the end of the year.
He’s also in the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, meaning that it would be stupid to not think about a long-term successor – or even an instant replacement – for the Irish veteran.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News in May, Kevin Campbell said he wants the Blues to replace Coleman this summer while The Athletic have reported that it’s something on the agenda at the club.
When comparing his numbers to full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, Tomayishu’s defensive output, despite him playing as both a centre-back and right-back.
He has completed 11 passes more per 90 minutes than Everton’s Coleman and has also been better at breaking up opposition playing – making 1.6 interceptions to Coleman’s 1.2. [Statsbomb]
The Japanese player is also a versatile option and is only 22-years-old. He’s got plenty of areas where he will only get better and has a sky-high potential that he can reach at Everton.
Rafa Benitez has a previous track record of improving young players and Tomiyasu could benefit under his tutelage.
We’re hoping that Marcel Brands and co. can manage to sign the player ahead of Spurs.
In other Everton news, ‘I had a fight’ – Richarlison shares behind-the-scenes tension with Everton, Benitez involved
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