Geoffrey Kondogbia
According to reports in Spain (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton have been credited with an interest in Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia ahead of the summer transfer window.
Kondogbia, 27, came through the ranks of Lens’ youth system and played for Sevilla and Monaco before joining Inter Milan in the summer of 2015. Despite being a regular for the Italian outfit, he was sent on loan to Valencia, where he became a permanent member of the squad and established himself as one of the best midfielders.
However, with just two years left on his contract at the Mestalla, the Frenchman could be on the move as per the report and Everton should look to sign him in the summer.
The Toffees have endured a mixed season so far, from a slow start to the campaign to getting better under Duncan Ferguson and losing form in the latter stages of the season. They have been inconsistent throughout the season and the manager has a lot of work to do ahead of the next season.
Except for Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the rest of the team has underperformed and that has been the reason for their fall to 12th position in the league table. They failed to win any of their last three games before the league got suspended and their chances of making it to the Europa League look slim.
While the two forwards have shown up on a consistent basis, the midfielders haven’t got it right so far. Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson are the only forward-thinking midfielders available in the squad. While the Portuguese international looked set to carry on, he faced a major injury and was sidelined for the majority of the season.
The other three midfielders haven’t made major contributions yet. Thus, Ancelotti should look to boost their midfield options in the summer and Valencia’s Geoffrey Kondogbia would be a suitable option for the club.
Despite Kondogbia struggling with injuries in the last two seasons, he has always been an influential player for the Spanish outfit. In his first season, he contributed with 4 goals and 4 assists and helped Valencia qualify for the Champions League.
With a tendency to play as a holding midfielder and as a traditional midfielder, he would be a valuable addition to Ancelotti’s squad. The Frenchman has made 288 career appearances and his experience would be a huge boost to the team. And his inclusion would provide them with much-needed depth.
At 27, he still has a few more years to play at a higher level and could be a great addition to the squad if he can replicate the same form he has shown for Valencia. Thus, the Toffees must push forward to lure him to Goodison Park in the summer.