Pluck a tricky winger from thin air and it’s reasonable to think that Everton have targeted them this summer.
Football FanCast exclusively revealed earlier this year that a key priority was to sign somebody who could play on the right flank.
What’s the word?
Everton have already secured the services of Andros Townsend this summer but further wide players are on their radar.
In recent days, the Toffees have been linked with moves for Leon Bailey and Samuel Chukwueze.
However, they’re also after individuals who can feature on the opposite flank.
According to The Daily Mail, Everton have shown an interest in Jeremie Boga. They will face competition from Crystal Palace and Leeds, while Atalanta are due to make a second bid.
The Italian side have already had one offer rejected by his current club Sassuolo.
Dream Richarlison heir
Everton are in danger of losing some of their key players this summer.
One of the most likely exits could fall at the feet of Richarlison who has reportedly taken a call from Carlo Ancelotti who is interested in taking him to Real Madrid.
Eurosport claimed this week that he was seeking an exit to Spain and if they do go, they could replace him immediately with Boga.
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The 24-year-old endured an unsuccessful spell with Chelsea but has flourished since moving to Serie A.
He’s one of the most tricky players to deal with in the Italian top-flight, despite not possessing the greatest set of offensive numbers.
Boga has 18 Sassuolo goals to his name but only four of them came in 2020/21. That said, he was among the best in the division for take-ons.
He completed 3.2 dribbles per game last season, a number that was only bettered by Rodrigo de Paul who has recently moved from Udinese to Atletico Madrid.
One of Richarlison’s best attributes is dribbling but the Ivorian usurps him in that department quite considerably. The Brazilian forward completed 1.8 last season by comparison.
Boga ranks in the 98th percentile for dribbles completed by players in his position in the last year which is way above the man he could succeed, who is in the 61st percentile.
Speaking about the spritely forward in the past, former Chelsea coach Michael Beale said: “The most unique talent and I’m talking in a window of being 13/14 and he just beat the other team possibly on his own is a young boy called Jeremie Boga.
“He just beat teams on his own, such a lovely boy. I thought wow, this boy is a supreme talent. he can stop and go and over three or four yards, he can just drift past you.”
Boga’s career hasn’t quite lived up the dizzy heights expected of him when he was younger but he’s still progressed very well.
He is lively, can beat most defenders in world football and can usually fashion a chance at the end of it.
Benitez would be wise to pick him up if Richarlison departs.
AND in other news, Rafa could discover Everton’s new Leon Osman by signing “special” 34-cap maestro…