Alan Stubbs thinks he’s identified ‘perfect’ Everton signing for David Moyes
Everton got their campaign off to a frustrating start as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday night.
David Moyes‘ side were second best throughout the majority of the game, but the Blues still managed to limit Leeds, who failed to create any real clear-cut chances.
This was until the final ten minutes of the game, when James Tarkowski blocked Anton Stach’s strike from the edge of the box to concede a controversial penalty.
Lukas Nmecha converted for the hosts as Everton left West Yorkshire pointless, with Beto up front failing to have any meaningful impact on the game.
The defeat highlights the need for Everton to further strengthen their squad, and Alan Stubbs believes he has identified the perfect signing.
Alan Stubbs wants Everton to sign Jamie Vardy
Thierno Barry also failed to have an impact in his brief cameo appearance, as Everton’s lack of quality in the final third was apparent.
Beto managed just one shot during the game, which was blocked as the striker quickly became a spectator as the evening unfolded.
Beto stats against Leeds:
- 0 shots on target
- 0 key passes
- 0 successful dribbles
- 1 ground duel won
- 0.06 xG accumulated
- 5 accurate passes
Speaking on talkSPORT on 19 August, former Everton player Stubbs suggested that the Toffees should make a move for Jamie Vardy, who is currently a free agent after leaving Leicester City earlier this summer.
Stubbs was asked whether he felt Vardy would be a good addition to Moyes’ squad, in which the former defender replied: “100 per cent. He’s very different to what we’ve got.
“We have got two very similar strikers, two big lads, but we haven’t got anyone who is that direct and, most importantly, proven goalscorers.”
Stubbs continued: “If you look at the players we have got, Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are looking to slide in balls down the side and want a clever player to run onto them. I’ve got to be honest, Vardy is a perfect player for Everton right now.”
Ally McCoist was quick to agree with Stubbs.
“Stubbsy, I think it is a no-brainer and a contrast in what you have got,” he said. “Vardy plays on the shoulder, still got his pace and would be perfect.”
Data suggests Vardy does not improve Everton
At 38, Vardy is coming off the back of a relatively impressive top-flight campaign, considering how poor Leicester were, with the striker scoring nine league goals.
Vardy’s data suggests that at this stage of his career, he is the worst of the three strikers when it comes to finishing, with the former England international also struggling to get many touches of the ball in the opposition’s box.
Vardy does have more expected assists compared to Beto and Barry, supporting Stubbs’ point that he may link up with the likes of Grealish and Ndiaye better.
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