GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 08: James Tavernier of Rangers celebrates after scoring his team's eighth goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hamilton Academical at Ibrox Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, (h/t Football.london), Everton are one of the clubs who have considered the prospect of moving for James Tavernier of Rangers. The full-back has impressed with his performances in Scotland for Steven Gerrard’s side so far.
An exit from the club has been mooted for next summer, with a host of Premier League clubs such as Tottenham, Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace interested.
James Tavernier is a 28-year-old English right-back who plays for Scottish side Rangers. He started his youth career at Leeds’ youth system in 2001 but moved to Newcastle in 2008. While he may have been promoted to the senior side in 2011, he was sent on loan to Gateshead while he was in the U-23s.
A string of loan moves followed to the likes of Carlisle United, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United. Wigan signed him on a permanent basis in 2014 but was again sent on loan to Bristol City.
That was, however, the last of his loan spells as he finally settled in at Rangers in 2015. Since then, he has become one of the most prolific right-backs. In 268 appearances, he has scored 62 goals and assisted 85 (source – Transfermarkt). The defender has not featured for any of England’s youth sides or the senior side to date.
For over a decade, Seamus Coleman has been manning the flanks at Goodison Park. Even at 32, he possesses the same passion he had back then. However, age is slowly catching up to the veteran and injuries are starting to surface. While Everton do have Jonjoe Kenny, it’s too early to say how much of an impact he will have.
What was special about Coleman is that he was one of the best attacking full-backs in his prime. Marauding up and down the right hand side, he has contributed to the team’s attack as much as defence. If Everton want someone close to that, they are rightly looking at James Tavernier.
It’s hard to believe the numbers Tavernier has posted over the last few seasons despite being a full-back. With Everton struggling for goals from players other than Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tavernier could be a real shot in the arm for the club. He could be a fantastic addition to the defence and would amplify their attack too.