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Everton scouts in Belgium transfer mission as Sergio Gomez scores brace in 3-1 Anderlecht win
Everton scouts were in Belgium on Saturday to watch Charleroi play Anderlecht, according to HLN.
The Belgian news outlet claims a “pack of scouts”, including those of an Everton persuasion, were at the Stade du Pays de Charleroi to see the home team lose 3-1 against the side managed by ex-Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany.
21-year-old Spaniard Sergio Gomes was the star of the show as he scored two goals from left-back, including a penalty, with Lior Rafaelov scoring Anderlecht’s opener. Marco Ilaimaharita was Charleroi’s sole goalscorer.
Scouring the continent
It’s not too surprising to hear Everton scouts were are at a match in Belgium, a nation considered to be a hotbed of emerging talent in Europe.
It would be remiss of the Blues not to be constantly watching for young talents, and Anderlecht certainly have their fair share.
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The HLN article does not directly state that Gomez was the focus of Everton’s attentions, but the newspaper did base the article on him.
If that was the case, the scouts would surely have been impressed by the ex-Barcelona attacker, who was operating at full-back.
Lucas Digne is currently the undisputed starter at left-back for Everton, chiefly because there are no other options.
Thierry Small left for Southampton in the summer after just one senior appearance while Niels Nkounkou was bizarrely allowed to leave on loan to Standard Liege.
Another left-back should certainly be on the Blues agenda if they are not certain about Nkounkou for next season, but whether Gomez, a natural attacker, would be suitable for that role, remains to be seen.
His stats this season are impressive, though, with five goals and assists, while his Spain Under-21 record stands at four goals in five games.
In other Everton news, a new name has emerged as a potential Rafa Benitez successor with the Blues plotting a move for this Portuguese manager.
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