Why Ozan Tufan would be a good addition to a struggling Everton unit
According to Milliyet (h/t Football.London), Fenerbahce are ready to accept a cut-price deal for their midfielder Ozan Tufan, who is targeted by Everton.
The 25-year-old Turk has been impressive for Fenerbahce, racking up three goals and six assists from his 25 league appearances this season. Despite Fenerbahce’s poor display in the league this season, Tufan has shone bright with clubs such as Everton and Crystal Palace lining up to sign him (h/t Football London).
Tufan has had a revival in his career this season, after a not so good campaign in the previous two seasons where he appeared for the Turkish side just seventeen and nine times respectively. He hadn’t registered a single shot on target, nor managed an assist in his last season.
His standout performances in this year’s campaign have caught the attention of the Toffees, who are planning to strengthen their midfield next season (h/t Football London).
Predominantly a holding midfielder, Tufan is also capable of playing in an attacking role and in the right-back slot as he has done on numerous occasions for Fenerbahce. The versatile Tufan, in his 124 appearances for Fenerbahce, has played 40 times in the attacking midfield and 8 times in the right-back position.
This could be something that would come as handy for the Carlo Ancelotti-led Everton side, who will be looking to better their performance next season. The Toffees have had a season to forget so far, with the club lying in a lowly 12th spot and Ancelotti needs to bring in new reinforcements to lead the side back to the top.
Despite having as many as seven midfielders in their rank, Everton have failed to impress this season mainly due to injuries to many of their newcomers.
Last summer arrivals Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin have missed major portions of this season due to respective injuries and are yet to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson and Englishman Fabian Delph are both in their thirties already and look past their prime. Considering all this, roping in the in-form Tufan, who has a release clause of around £17m seems like a good addition to a struggling Toffees unit.
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Verdict
Despite having enough midfielders amidst them, Everton have failed to put up a decent display this season and hence, their interest in in-form man Tufan makes complete sense.
Moreover, signing Tufan would offer the Toffees some confidence and energy in a midfield that has the likes of veterans Sigurdsson and Delph. Also, his flexibility to adapt to different roles would make him a good addition at Goodison Park.