According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton could revive their interest in Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt this summer despite the departure of Sam Allardyce.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Daily Mail says that Allardyce had been linked with a move for the Netherlands international having worked with him at Sunderland and then having signed him when he was with Crystal Palace, before he was sacked earlier this month.
However, rather than ending their interest in the 27-year-old the Daily Mail says that Van Aanholt may still be on the Merseyside outfit’s list of targets as they search for a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines at left-back.
The report adds that the Toffees’ new director of football, Dutchman Marcel Brands, knows all about the defender who loves to get forward and has a real knack for getting on the score-sheet.
How did Van Aanholt do during the 2017/18 campaign?
It was another impressive season for the left-back, as Crystal Palace recovered from losing their opening seven Premier League matches to secure survival before their final game.
As well as showing his pace, energy and defensive capabilities, the Dutchman also scored five goals and provided a further assist in 28 top flight appearances, including one in each of their final three fixtures of the campaign against Leicester City, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.
According to WhoScored.com, the 27-year-old made 47 interceptions for the Eagles in those Premier League encounters, while he successfully completed 26 of the 31 dribbles he attempted.
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Would he be a good signing for Everton?
He certainly could be, and it would show that new manager Marco Silva is ready to attack which will excite the fans, who don’t think their club needs to sign a Euro 2016 winner this summer.
Baines doesn’t quite have the energy to get up and down the pitch like he once did, and bringing Van Aanholt to Goodison Park would certainly go some way to sorting that issue given the engine that he has on him.
The goal threat he brings would also be a big boost for the Merseyside outfit, although there are still more than a few question marks on how strong he is defensively, and he would likely need a strong centre-back and a defensive midfielder that is willing to slot in and cover for him when he is breaking up the field.