Everton must go back in for Ainsley Maitland-Niles after Sunday update
Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks set to leave permanently this summer and Everton need to be ready to go again for the Englishman.
The Mirror reported today (Sunday 27 March) that the 24-year-old is set to make a switch within the Premier League next season with Mikel Arteta no longer needing his skillset at the Emirates.
He is currently out on loan at Serie A side AS Roma where Jose Mourinho is managing but the controversial Portuguese man is unlikely to make that move a permanent one despite a clause being in the deal.
His complete footballing ability might not be overly outstanding but Everton wouldn’t be signing him to be a game-changer in any particular role.
Maitland-Niles is far more suited to being a utility player who plays wherever he is needed by the team and it is a role that has been commonplace for him throughout his career.
He would ideally play in the midfield where he can use some silky-quick feet to twist out of tight situations but he has also been used as a wing-back or an out and out winger depending on what system is in use at the time.
No one necessarily wants to be seen as the jack of all trades but it is a criminally underrated role in any good football team and those who fill that void can often become the cult hero of the football club if they do a good enough job.
That sounds like a good tagline to have next to your name and Maitland-Niles might just have to accept his fate in that regard, no matter how much he doesn’t want to become Mr Utility.
In other Everton news, Victor Anichebe has responded to this Toffees star after he starred on the international stage this weekend.
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