Sky pundit enthused as Everton chase right profile Che Adams, Neal Maupay and Ben Brereton Diaz
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
The strikers that Everton are chasing to solve their glaring need up front are the right ones because they suit their style of play, says Kevin Campbell.
Considering the Toffees lost Brazilian international star Richarlison this summer it could have been considered underwhelming that they are now trailing targets from the Championship or those who are in and out of the team in the top flight, in Ben Brereton Diaz, Che Adams and Neal Maupay, from Blackburn, Southampton and Brighton respectively.
But while Sky Sports pundit Campbell accepts they might not be players who will win the Golden Boot they are the right types to fill in for and compliment Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with mobility and an ability to hold the ball up.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News he said: “Look, you can’t say they’re at the top of the Premier League food chain but one thing I can tell you, all those players can hold the ball up, and are mobile.
“That is really important for Everton because they way Everton play, and the way they link, they need somebody at the top end of the pitch who can get hold of the ball so the team can move up the pitch and they can start playing their football in and around the box, and play their combinations.
“The problem when Anthony Gordon plays is one, he’s not a striker, and two, he’s not physically strong enough to bounce some of these big centre halves in order to retain the ball.
“So it’s very difficult to get the team going if you don’t have somebody there like that.
“I truly believe if Everton get that player, or a couple of players, who can do that – obviously you’re waiting for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to come back – that can actually help him.
“Because if you’ve got a player who can take that pressure off Dominic Calvert-Lewin then the ball then goes wide and the cross is coming in, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is better attacking crosses than maybe holding it up.
“So you’ve got to pick your poison type of thing.
“I like the players that they’re going for. I’m not saying that they’re going to win the Golden Boot. But I think that Everton have to pick players that are going to suit what they do.
“And those three players [Maupay, Adams, Brereton Diaz] all can hold the ball up and bring others into play, which is very good, and which is what Everton need.”
A first point on the board and a semblance of the right shape with Salomon Rondon restored to the line-up against Nottingham Forest is a start, but fans obviously want to see someone arrive to properly lead the line.
Adams scored twice in Southampton’s 2-1 win at Leicester on Saturday (20 August) to remind everyone of what he can do, and that sort of impact would be welcomed with open arms at Goodison Park right now.
But Campbell is right, it has to be the right sort of player for Frank Lampard, because money spent on a flop is a problem that doesn’t need repeating for Everton.
The club may still prefer Armando Broja, but if he is going to remain elusive it is vital they get a deal in place for one of the alternatives.