Everton Super Fans react as Rafa Benitez is linked with a move for Clement Lenglet
This is part of a regular series from our panel of Everton Super Fans. Each week, Super Fans from our Goodison News Facebook page will deliver their verdicts on the biggest talking points and news stories around Goodison Park.
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Everton manager Rafa Benitez wants to bring Barcelona centre-back Clement Lenglet to Goodison Park this summer, claims Fichajes.
The Spaniard is said to be displeased with the current options he has at the back and sees the Frenchman as an upgrade.
Yerry Mina has failed to impress Benitez during the Copa America, while he believes Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey lack the experience he is looking for in a defender, as per Fichajes’ report.
We asked our esteemed panel of Everton Super Fans over on Facebook what they think of Benitez’s interest in Lenglet.
One believes the France international would indeed be an upgrade, while another agrees that Mina should leave.
Some offered a different viewpoint, though, insisting the new Blues boss will be keen on watching everyone in training before making his transfer decisions.
Here is what they said:
Lenglet was bought by Barcelona because of his fine defensive displays at Sevilla, but he appears to have mistake in him and this was evident during his country’s clash with Switzerland in the last-16 of the European Championship, where he was withdrawn at half time after a costly error.
Benitez could be willing to gamble on him, with Lenglet arguably better on the ball than our current options.
Given the calibre of defenders available to represent France, the fact that Lenglet made the Euros squad speaks volumes.
Whether he would be keen to leave Camp Nou, where he plays regularly, for Goodison Park is doubtful, though.
Barcelona compete for domestic trophies and the Champions League every season, and we would be surprised if the 26-year-old is open to sacrificing all that for a move to Everton.
The most realistic thing to do would be for Benitez to help mould the trio of Mina, Holgate and Godfrey into world-class defenders as they have what it takes, and we expect them to improve under him given his track record of developing players.
In other Everton news, Toffees are in active exit talks over big-name Blues ace amid firm Benitez verdict.
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