Everton want to hand Sean Dyche a welcome gift of Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea as Anthony Gordon heads for Newcastle
Everton want to start the Sean Dyche era by providing him with a “welcome gift” in the form of Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea, la Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The Toffees settled on the former Burnley manager to replace Frank Lampard on Friday (27 January), after Marcelo Bielsa flew all the way from Brazil to turn down the senior job.
But the first move happening in the wake of the decision has turned out to be a high-profile exit for Anthony Gordon to move to Newcastle.
So with the Everton squad in need of attacking help, particularly with Gordon removed, the club have their eyes on Moroccan international Ziyech from Stamford Bridge to give their new manager a running start.
Roma are also reportedly interested in the 29-year-old as well, with Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol reporting on Friday night that Chelsea want £17.5million for him.
The report from la Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday (27 January) sums up the changes at Goodison Park, saying: “Goodbye to Gordon, the Toffees would like to welcome Dyche with a welcome gift named Hakim Ziyech. The new era is about to begin.”
Revolving door
It is about time the Toffees started getting some people through the door to make up for the departures, and having at least cut the wait for a new manager to a week this time they need to make the most of the final few days of the window to follow up with players.
Given Bielsa’s need for speed in the playing squad a departure for Gordon, probably the fastest player at Everton, straight off the bat wasn’t a great selling point for the Argentine.
Dyche was eager to take the role but losing the 21-year-old isn’t a major boost him either even if Gordon’s form has tailed off, with pace down the flanks something he will also need in what promises to be a newly-organised set up.
Ziyech doesn’t exactly scream ‘Sean Dyche player’, with his cultured left foot and slight build, but there is no doubting he has quality.
In and out of the side at Stamford Bridge like just about everyone is, he has still scored a number of important goals for the London side, and if he is willing to switch to Goodison he could inject some quality.
For the quoted price he should be affordable with Everton set to bank about £45million for Gordon [Keith Downie, 27 January], so unless the incoming boss has other ideas he might be a decent place to start the refit.