Why Everton cashing in on Bernard in January would be a fair settlement

According to The Athletic, Everton are expected to put out-of-favour winger Bernard up for sale in the January transfer window. The Toffees are also willing to cash in on other fringe players like Mo Besic, Yannick Bolasie and Matthew Pennington. 

Bernard had been the subject of interest from Italian outfit AS Roma before the summer deadline but Everton refused to sanction a departure in October. Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti made it clear back then that the 28-year-old was a part of his plans moving forward and that he intended to keep the player at Goodison Park. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

Bernard, who joined Everton on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018, played a key role under former manager Marco Silva. The diminutive Brazilian made 61 appearances in the Premier League for the Toffees during his first two seasons in Merseyside.

However, he found himself down the pecking order following the restart in June last term and has continued to struggle for regular minutes in the ongoing campaign.

The Brazilian has started only once in the Premier League so far this season while making three substitute appearances off the bench, playing just 174 minutes of league football for Everton.

Bernard was handed a rare start in the 3-1 loss against Manchester United last month. He capped off an impressive display with a goal but that apparently hasn’t been enough to convince Ancelotti that he is deserving of a regular starting role.

Putting things into context, Everton shouldn’t hesitate to cash in on Bernard during the mid-season trading period. While keeping him at the club in the summer made complete sense, it has been clear from Ancelotti’s selection that he doesn’t particularly see the Brazilian as an integral part of his plans.

The 28-year-old does offer the Toffees valuable cover for Richarlison and James Rodriguez down the flanks, with Theo Walcott and Moise Kean out on loan. Ancelotti, though, hasn’t really considered him for selection even when the regular starters have been sidelined with injuries. Alex Iwobi has enjoyed more game time than the former Shakhtar man, which clearly underlines his bit-part role in the set-up. 

Truth be told, a potential departure for Bernard in January wouldn’t really deal a massive blow to Everton’s campaign. The Brazilian came through the door at Goodison Park with a lot of expectations and while he has shown glimpses of real quality, his spell in English football has largely been underwhelming.

Having said that, however, Everton need to line up some alternatives in the market if they do end up selling Bernard in January. The Toffees currently lack quality cover for Rodriguez, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin up top. A potential departure for the Brazilian would, therefore, free up enough space and funds for Everton to bolster their attack with better options.

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Verdict

Bernard has been a good servant to Everton with his hardworking nature and work ethic but his returns haven’t really been up to the mark. The Toffees need more quality in their ranks if they are to challenge for a return to Europe and cashing in on the 28-year-old would certainly boost their transfer kitty.

That would, in turn, facilitate Ancelotti to splash the cash on new arrivals, thus making a departure for the Brazilian a fair deal for all parties involved.