Why Everton should go back in the market for Maxi Gomez
Back in September, a report from the Telegraph had claimed that Everton were keeping tabs on Valencia striker Maxi Gomez with a view to a potential transfer. However, those came to nothing and the 24-year-old ended up staying put at Valencia.
Profile
Maxi Gomez completed his footballing education at Defensor Sporting in his native Uruguay and made his professional debut during the 2015-16 season. He went on to score 29 goals in 52 games for his boyhood club before completing a move abroad with Spanish outfit Celta Vigo in the summer of 2017.
The 24-year-old tasted instant success in Spain with a 17-goal haul in the 2017-18 edition of the La Liga and backed up those numbers with 13 league goals in the following campaign. Gomez’s prolific form at Celta Vigo paved the way for a move to Valencia in 2019.
Gomez bagged 11 goals in 43 appearances across all competitions last term in what was a slightly underwhelming debut season for the Uruguayan at the Mestalla. However, he has made a bright start to 2020-21, scoring thrice in 7 La Liga appearances so far.
A full international for Uruguay since 2017, Gomez has scored 3 goals in 19 appearances for his nation, featuring at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Gomez would add more firepower to Everton’s attack
Everton went on to enjoy a successful transfer window with blockbuster deals for James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, and Ben Godfrey. Young left-back Niels Nkounkou and goalkeeper Robin Olsen (loan) also came through the door as Carlo Ancelotti reshaped the squad to his liking. However, the Toffees didn’t sign a centre-forward.
That hasn’t really come back to haunt Everton just yet, thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s sparkling form in front of goal. The 23-year-old really came of age with a 13-goal haul for the Toffees in the Premier League last season and looks well on course to better those numbers this time around.
However, it is very important for Everton to bring in a quality back-up to take some goalscoring workload off Calvert-Lewin’s shoulders. He’s still young and a sudden dip in form or an injury midway through the campaign would jeopardise the Toffees’ prospects.
Richarlison is capable of playing as a striker but is definitely a better player out wide. Meanwhile, Cenk Tosun remains on the periphery of Ancelotti’s ranks despite recovering from injury.
Everton should make a renewed attempt to sign Maxi Gomez in the winter window to add more depth to their striking ranks. The Uruguayan boasts of an impressive career tally of 43 goals and 13 assists in 111 appearances in the La Liga. He looks more than ready to embrace a new challenge in the Premier League.
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Verdict
Everton need more than one quality player in each department if they are to go toe-to-toe with the elite clubs in the division. Maxi Gomez has proven himself to be a natural goalscorer and a striker of real quality in the La Liga.
He still has his best years ahead of him at 24 and working under a charismatic manager like Ancelotti would surely add a lot more to his repertoire. That said, the Toffees should definitely go back in the market for the Uruguayan’s services come January.
