Everton have been handed a big boost late in the transfer market, with the impending sale of Anthony Gordon.
Having fought off advances in the summer from Chelsea, by setting the price so high (£60m) it seems to have convinced Newcastle United that the initial £40m expended is a good deal.
Whether the 21-year-old blossoms into a sensational winger or not, for the player that is currently being sold the Toffees have made a huge coup with that deal.
It also has allowed them precious funds to now reinvest, with the soon-to-be new boss Sean Dyche likely to be handed the bulk of this incoming money to add some much-needed new faces.
One transfer rumour that he could now pounce on is that linking them with a switch for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, which emerged just after Frank Lampard’s sacking.
The Moroccan joined Stamford Bridge under the 44-year-old for an initial €40m (£35m) fee but has struggled to recapture his blistering form at Ajax that saw him so coveted.
His 14 goals and 11 assists in 98 appearances for the Blues make for disappointing reading, but again it is difficult not to be enamoured by his exceptional final two seasons in Amsterdam.
The 2018/19 campaign stands out as his most impressive, where he featured off the right flank and would cut in on his razor-sharp left foot to record 16 goals and 17 assists in the Eredivisie as well as a further nine goal contributions in the Champions League and its qualifying rounds.
It is this lackadaisical but often unstoppable play style that could draw comparisons to a former Everton favourite, who many would argue left too soon.
James Rodriguez joined and left before the full might of Goodison Park got to witness his quality, driven out by a manager who would be sacked just six months later.
Despite his one season on Merseyside having been marred with injuries, his six goals and five assists in 23 Premier League games were impressive, with his class oozing through to put him a cut above the rest.
Ziyech could likely have a similar effect, should he recapture that initial form at Ajax. The affinity in their play style and unquestionable quality suggests that this could certainly be the case.
His displays at the recent World Cup for a historic Morocco side give credence to the suggestion it could be possible, with analyst Owuraku Ampofo claiming “the magician is back” after one of his fine performances.
Soon after first making the move to Chelsea, The Athletic’s Liam Twomey admitted that he was most excited to watch the 29-year-old before claiming: “His crossing from the right should be absolutely perfect for Pulisic/Werner/Hudson-Odoi”.
Would Ziyech be a good signing?
Yes
No
Whilst it has yet to work out, that touch of class that has seldom been seen at Everton of late could be set to return, potentially reigniting the buzz around the club that was there when Carlo Ancelotti presided over Rodriguez on Merseyside.
