Why Everton must sign the impressive Wylan Cyprien in the summer to add midfield depth
Back in June 2019, Yahoo Sport France (h/t The Liverpool Echo) had claimed that Everton were interested in signing OGC Nice midfielder Wylan Cyprien. However, no deal materialised last summer and he stayed put at OGC Nice.
Following his breakout campaign in Ligue 1 with Nice in 2016/17 – his first season with the club – where scored eight and set up three, Wylan Cyprien endured a rather underwhelming couple of years before flourishing again under Patrick Vieira this season.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has netted 8 goals and registered 5 assists in 24 games across all competitions, establishing himself as a key component of this OGC Nice side. With Cyprien enjoying a solid Ligue 1 campaign, Everton must revive their interest in the player when the summer transfer window opens.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park has brought optimism within the club as they chase European qualification. The Royal Blues have improved under Ancelotti but they need quality players if they are to challenge for the top-four next season.
In Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bernard, Moise Kean and Alex Iwobi, Everton have a plethora of exciting attacking players. The same could be said about their midfield too but none of them has delivered the goods this season.
Andre Gomes looked brighter in the initial months of the season and when he was about to kick on, a nasty leg break hampered his progress and he was out of action for several months.
Summer signing Jean-Phillipe Gbamin featured in just two games and is a long-term casualty for the Toffees. Morgan Schneiderlin hasn’t been consistent this season. Therefore, Ancelotti should bring in reinforcements to see that he can pick up a strong squad for the new campaign and achieve his targets.
Having said that, the Italian tactician should prioritise strengthening the midfield. In that regard, Wylan Cyprien would be a viable option for Everton.
Cyprien is a central midfielder by trade but he can also play a deeper role and also the No.10 role. He managed to pick up 4 goals and 2 assists for Nice last season. The Frenchman has registered 7 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1 this season.
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The 25-year-old’s constant supply of goals and assists for the French side over the last few seasons are proof that he can be dangerous for his team in the final third. Cyprien is a talented player who will add quality as well as some much-needed depth to the Everton midfield. Ancelotti could be the right manager to help him develop as a player.
Verdict
Going by his quality and experience at the highest level, signing the OGC Nice midfield ace would boost the Toffees’ midfield unit considerably. Cyprien is an established player in Ligue 1 and has the required qualities to thrive at Everton under Ancelotti. Hence, the Merseysiders must attempt to sign him this summer.