Everton are a club that has seemingly lost its identity in recent years, with the infinite funds that Farhad Moshiri promised perhaps the catalyst for such a negative change.
With his involvement, many assumed he would plough his untold riches into turning them into a European powerhouse. However, few could have anticipated he would be so reckless in the market, entrusting his fortune with a host of failures most of whom are no longer at the club.
Only since Sean Dyche’s appointment have they started to threaten a return to the days of old, where solidity was paramount and hard work was a prerequisite.
Not only that, but his work in the market has been stringent too, picking up neat bargains and spending with immense intelligence to comply with the looming FFP charges.
Perhaps this coming January could see him fix his latest outstanding issue with another quietly brilliant signing, swooping for West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal despite there being no links between the player and the club.
At the very least, his arrival could finally allow the club to give Ashley Young the role he deserves: a backup one.
How good is Vladimir Coufal?
Having moved to East London in 2020, the 31-year-old full-back quickly established himself as a combative presence down the right flank, boasting enough offensive impetus to shine with the steely solidity one would expect from a Czech Republic international.
However, as a team seemingly evolving with each passing year, allowing David Moyes to build something truly special at the London Stadium, an opportunity may arise to pry Coufal from West Ham United if the price is right.
After all, he is far from a youngster, but could provide the perfect bridge at Goodison Park to push Young to the side whilst still allowing Nathan Patterson the room to develop.
Especially given how his performances have shown little signs of waning with age, having started all nine of the Hammers’ Premier League games, recording four assists.
Given the lack of offensive impetus that Dyche has to suffer with, from both left and right-back, the £35k-per-week ace would certainly solve that issue with the latter, given he is averaging 1.3 key passes per game alongside 2.4 tackles and 2.3 clearances per game in the league, via Sofascore.
Those defensive figures are key too, and help support the notion outlined by his former teammate Radoslav Kovac, who branded the star a ‘warrior’.
Then, to compare these figures with Young, and it quickly becomes clear just how desperately some experienced fresh legs are needed.
With the 38-year-old having already been lambasted for one ‘diabolical’ showing live on Sky Sports Main Event (20 August, 3.40 pm) by co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe, the former Manchester United man has also already made two errors directly leading to goals, whilst being dribbled past once per game.
What makes his replacement a potentially doable deal, even if the defender admitted he would sign a new one-year deal were he offered one, is the fact that Everton could swoop in beforehand with more first-team assurances as his contract winds down towards the 2024 expiry.
Given their predicament, Coufal would quickly become one of the first names on the team sheet, sure to strike up a fine partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It would mark an intelligent piece of business to pick up the £8m-rated ace, who offers the perfect blend of energy and experience to finally rid fans of Young.
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