Why Everton should plot a summer swoop for Diadie Samassekou?
Not for the first time, a much-hyped fixture failed to deliver with the Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool playing out a disappointing 0-0 draw at Goodison Park last weekend. It was a game that held more importance for Liverpool than Everton due to their title aspirations but the latter did a solid job that certainly made Marco Silva and the Goodison faithful proud.
In a game that was high on intensity but low on quality, Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye stepped up for Everton. The duo produced a typically combative performance in the middle of the park, whilst disrupting Liverpool creative players’ rhythm and understanding.
Schneiderlin has not enjoyed the best of seasons, yet was up for the task against the Reds. Gueye was close to leaving Everton in January but the club rebuffed Paris Saint-Germain’s offer of £26.2 million for the Senegal international. has since spoken his desire of earning back PSG’s attention following the Toffees’ winter reject.
And while Everton managed to retain the services of Gueye, it would be difficult for them to stop the Senegal international from leaving in summer should PSG submit an offer. That said, Marco Silva needs to start planning for the future from now on and chalk out potential replacements for Gueye.
Red Bull Salzburg star Diadie Samassekou would fit the bill perfectly at the Goodison Park.
Diadie Samassekou, 23, has been one of their standout performers in the Austrian Bundesliga this season. The Malian has done fantastically well in the Europa League, impressing with his work-rate, energy and tackling traits.
The 23-year-old isn’t just excellent in shielding the backline, but he’s a midfield enforcer who can cover ground well, carry the ball forward and provide the perfect link between defence and attack. Diadie Samassekou is more than capable of closing the gaps, intercepting the ball and keeping possession even in tightest of areas. He is a crisp passer of the ball, possessing the ability to pick out a long pass.
The Mali international is quick and an accomplished dribbler of the ball but often tends to keep things simple. He ticks all the boxes to potentially replace Gueye in the summer and can complement Tom Davies or Morgan Schneiderlin in the Everton midfield. Samassekou can provide with the much-needed energy which has been lacking in the Everton team since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
Samassekou has all the ingredients to be a huge success in the Premier League. He is a young but raw talent and under Silva’s guidance can solve Everton’s midfield conundrum for at least the next five years.
