LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Cenk Tosun of Everton reacts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Norwich City at Goodison Park on November 23, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
According to Liverpool Echo, Cenk Tosun has been linked with an exit from Everton. His father said that the player does not think about leaving the club but there have been talks of a return to Besiktas. However, Tosun might consider an exit if Everton brought in another striker.
The 29-year-old Turkish forward who plays for Everton. A product of the Eintracht Frankfurt, he joined the club in 1997 and spent the next decade in the academy. He was promoted to the U-17 side in 2007 and enjoyed a prolific spell with 12 goals in 15 games.
A year later, he was bumped up to the U-19’s and kept up his good scoring rate with 20 goals in 40 games. Finally, he was promoted to the senior side a year later. However, in the next one and a half years, he kept playing for the reserves and made only one appearance for the first-team.
Gaziantepspor signed him in 2011 where he showcased his brilliant goal-scoring prowess. In 122 appearances, he scored 44 goals and assisted another 23. Ending his fruitful spell there, he made the move to Turkish giants Besiktas. He took his goal-scoring to another level with them as he went on to score 64 goals and assist 13 in 162 games (source – Transfermarkt).
Everton came calling in 2018 but he couldn’t replicate his form from the last few seasons. He was sent on a short loan spell to Crystal Palace last season. Tosun played for Germany until the U-21 level but chose to continue with Turkey after that. A full international for Turkey, he has made 42 appearances and scored 16 goals to date.
Everton have been rather decent compared to recent seasons and one of the reasons for that has been the form of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Englishman has started like a house on fire and has already scored 11 goals in 10 games. Obviously, he has been aided by the likes of James Rodriguez and Richarlison but the way he has stepped up his scoring rate needs to be commended.
Now the problem is Everton don’t have a backup striker for him other than Cenk Tosun. The Turk has recently been reintroduced into the side after a long injury layoff and could go on to keep his place behind Calvert-Lewin as a backup striker.
It is important that Everton keep a hold of Tosun given he is an experienced man. Quite how long Calvert-Lewin can sustain his form is anyone’s guess. In case of a drop-off, Tosun can be asked to chip in. Until Everton get another forward, they should keep Cenk Tosun at the club and give him an occasional match or call him off the bench as required.