Wed 14 Jun 06
Joleon and yet another striker?
Everton has completed the drawn-out signing of Wolves’ defender and former England u-21 international Joleon Lescott. Lescott was key in a bright season for Wolverhampton in 02/03, but injured his knee at the end of that season and missed the Wolves’ unsuccessful year in the Prem. His arrival presents Everton with strength and athleticism at the back, complementing Joseph Yobo. Hibbert and Portugal World Cup’er Jorge Nuno Valente are at the corners, with Stubbsie providing the experience. It looks like David Weir may be off elsewhere, but we’ll see.
As the past Premier League season was coming to a close, South African striker Benni McCarthy of FC Porto was rumoured to be one of Everton’s targets and potential goal-scoring solutions. They didn’t go for him, trusting instead that Andrew Johnson will be the solution, but it looks like Benni may be coming to Merseyside after all. There’s now talk of Everton and Porto doing a swap with “injury-jinxed” Dutchman Andy van der Meyde leaving and McCarthy coming in.
Van der Meyde doesn’t appear to be fan favourite at Goodison, but I’ll be happy if he stays around. Despite the injury time and a stupid-ass red card during the last Merseyside derby, I thought he brought a lot of craft and creativity to the side. Then there’s his haircut, but we won’t go there. Anyway, he can stay as far as I’m concerned.
That said, it’s intriguing to think of another quality striker arriving at Goodison. AJ, Beattie, and Benni should offer some solid striking power with James McFadden around to pop in the odd one, as well. With Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Lee Carsley, Simon Davies, Kevin Kilbane and Phil Neville across the midfield, the Toffees might be in good shape there. Could James Beattie fall back a bit and support AJ and Benni? I think Benni, too, would be a good option to bring on as a substitute if a AJ/Beattie attack hadn’t gone anywhere that day.
David Moyes’ transfer budget may be used up, so why not sacrifice a midfielder, albeit a creative one, in favour of another proven striker? Might the Toffees really score some goals next season??
Mike C.Â
