Anthony Elanga shows what Everton are missing with Nottingham Forest performances
It has been a poor start to the season for Everton in front of goal, and missing out on one signing during the summer looks like it could end up coming back to haunt the Toffees.
After four Premier League games, Sean Dyche’s men have only scored twice and have just one point on the board. Both of those goals came in their most recent game, a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United, as they lost all three of their opening league fixtures without scoring a goal, for the first time in the club’s history.
Following a similar pattern last season, during which the Toffees narrowly missed the drop after finishing the campaign as the league’s second-lowest scorers, this was an issue they aimed to address in the summer, although have perhaps not done enough.
Beto and Arnaut Danjuma are the only two recognised senior attackers who arrived at Finch Farm during the transfer window, after their public chase of Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto ended in defeat.
In addition to Gnonto, there is one other winger who was playing his football in the Premier League last season that the club missed out on, and that is former Manchester United star Anthony Elanga. As reported by the Liverpool Echo earlier in the summer (12 July), various publications were linking the Swede with a move to Goodison Park.
Ultimately, just 13 days after the Echo spoke of the Blues’ interest, Elanga would be confirmed as one of Nottingham Forest’s many summer signings (Sky Sports News, 25 July). At the time, plenty of supporters would have most likely been frustrated by this news, and those frustrations certainly wouldn’t have been eased by Elanga’s form so far this season.
Although he has only been used sporadically by Steve Cooper, the 21-year-old has featured has made a real impact when he has featured. He came on as a substitute during Forest’s first game of the season, a trip to the Emirates, and within minutes provided an assist to offer the Reds a lifeline after they had found themselves 2-0 down to Arsenal.
Against Sheffield United and Manchester United, he was only used as a substitute, playing for a total of 30 minutes across the two games. On matchday four, Forest headed to London once again, this time to face Chelsea, with Elanga named on the bench. However, on this occasion, he showcased why he should be more than just an option off the bench.
Having been introduced just before half-time, he opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge with a superbly taken goal. For the second time this season, he made an impact just moments after coming off the bench and his goal would be enough to earn his side a famous win.
As the season goes on, he is likely to earn himself a more predominant role, and Everton might be left regretting missing out on his signature, especially if it is Forest they find themselves battling for safety with.
In other Everton news, one star at the club has made a “difficult” admission after an international fixture.