NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JULY 20: Layvin Kurzawa of Paris plays the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nuernberg and Paris Saint-German at Max-Morlock-Stadion on July 20, 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Getty Images)
According to Le10Sport (h/t Daily Express), Everton are keeping close tabs on PSG left-back Laywin Kurzawa.
The Frenchman’s contract with the French champions is coming to an end at the end of this month after five seasons. The 27-year-old, who joined the Ligue 1 side from rivals Monaco in 2015, has been a key player for them over the years, scoring 13 goals and giving 23 assists from 123 matches across all competitions.
However, the arrival of Juan Bernat from Bayern Munich in 2018 saw Kurzawa fall behind the Spaniard in the pecking order of things at Parc des Princes. Despite that, Kurzawa still featured 23 times for PSG this season, including three in the Champions League, before the season got abandoned due to the coronavirus crisis.
Having played a total of 150 matches in Ligue 1, with 15 goals and 20 assists to his name, Kurzawa is nothing short of experience and talent. With his contract now set to expire, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has now expressed an interest in him.
Ancelotti needs to strengthen his defence after his side’s dismal show in the league so far this season. The Toffees have struggled defensively throughout this season, conceding 37 goals from 30 matches.
Moreover, Kurzawa’s arrival will also give competition for fellow Frenchman Lucas Digne, who has established himself as the first-choice left-back at Goodison Park. Digne, who arrived from Barcelona in the summer of 2018, has enjoyed rare individual success unlike his fellow players in the back-four. He is the side’s top assist-provider in the league as of now.
He has amassed a total of 5 assists from his 26 league appearances this term and is one of the first few names on the team sheets. Apart from Digne, Everton also have club legend Leighton Baines in the side.
A main-team player for them over the years, Baines has mostly played second fiddle to Digne since his arrival. But he still remains an influential figure at the Merseyside club. However, he will turn 36 this December, meaning Kurzawa’s arrival is, by all means, a welcome sign for the club. Hence, Ancelotti must not think twice but bring the experienced Frenchman to England.
Though Digne remains the side’s obvious first-choice man at left-back, Kurzawa can offer his fellow Frenchman a run for his money, having played at the highest level in the past few years at PSG. His arrival will only make them stronger in defence and offer Ancelotti more depth next season.
