Why Sean Dyche must avoid avoid making another costly Everton transfer error

Everton has undoubtedly advanced significantly under this new administration at least.

It felt fantastic, especially at the beginning of the festive season, to experience such an exceptional run of form in which the Toffees were rarely beaten after so many years of regression and frustration.

In reality, Sean Dyche’s team had enjoyed a run in which they lost just three in 14 games and won ten of those matches after their 3-1 victory over Brentford back in September until they recently met Fulham in the EFL Cup.

Earning such success has clearly convinced Kevin Thelwell that this January could be one allowed to be bypassed in order to regain some kind of financial parity, yet rumors still remain that suggest Everton could be tempted by potential coups. Hannibal Mejbri on loan is one such example, whilst another has suggested that the Toffees might be the latest English club to try and get a tune out of Jesse Lingard once again.

However, in handing a lucrative contract to an ageing Englishman with little incentive to rekindle a damaged career, Dyche could be set to repeat the mistakes already made with Ashley Young this season.

How has Ashley Young played this season?

The 38-year-old was acquired on a free transfer, which at the time seemed like a wise move, but as time has gone on, the frequency with which the aging failure has been used has decreased.

After all, fans are irritated that the former Manchester United player, a rising talent with a real chance to stay at the team, is starting at right back instead of Nathan Patterson.

Young’s lack of speed and rashness has hindered his performances on numerous occasions already too, with the defender having committed one penalty, made two errors leading to a goal and been sent off in the Merseyside derby, via SofaScore. Although Lingard would likely not represent such a defensive liability, he would still command a large wage given the offered contract would not be a long-term one.

As so, he would require valuable resources, with no assurance that he could match the caliber of Abdoulaye Doucoure, who plays his preferred role. Ultimately, despite offering the striker a tantalizing £80,000 per week contract last season, Nottingham Forest saw the 31-year-old fail to score or provide an assist in the Premier League.

Podcaster Dan Woffenden claims that he was a “difference maker” in the past, but that is now in the past. Dyche’s decision to once again comb the free agent market with such contempt for the high cost of wages makes no sense at all, and if Young is any indication, Lingard should also be avoided right now.

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