Maitland-Niles to solve Moyes problems after Everton transfer update
Everton have struggled to secure their main transfer targets this summer and still require a significant number of new arrivals to enhance their squad depth.
The Toffees have registered interest in several players across various positions, but Samuel Lino and Georgios Vagiannidis are two targets who David Moyes looks to have missed out on.
Everton need to strengthen both their starting eleven and their depth all over the pitch, after letting several senior players leave.
Lyon star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been linked, and he could now solve two key problems David Moyes faces in the upcoming season.
Maitland-Niles can solve midfield and full-back problem
Everton have several holes in their squad which need filling, but Maitland-Niles may be targeted to solve two of them at once.
Moyes’ side are now light in central midfield, and another option there would be ideal given the lack of quality depth in the position.
Right-back is also an issue, with Ashley Young’s departure leaving limited depth, and the other options in the position being inadequate to regularly start.
| Lyon | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Maitland-Niles | 32 | 1 | 4 |
Everton are keen on Maitland-Niles, and the former Arsenal starlet could solve both problems, given his incredible versatility allows him to play on either flank as a full-back or in central midfield.
The Englishman made 44 appearances for Lyon across all competitions last season, and at 27, is coming into his prime years.
Maitland-Niles will have to use versatility
Maitland-Niles was progressing well at Arsenal in 2020, winning the player-of-the-match award in the Community Shield against Liverpool and earning an England call-up.
This was when Mikel Arteta played him as a left wing-back, but things started going wrong quickly when he decided that he would prefer a central midfield role.
Despite excelling as a full-back, this is what ultimately ended his Arsenal career, but he has since thrived in France and has returned to his position in the back line.
At Everton, he could play in both midfield and at full-back to provide a strong option in both positions, and he could be a Swiss army knife for Moyes in this sense, but he will have to be willing to become a utility player again, rather than sticking to one position.
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