Why Everton signing Gregoire Defrel would bolster their attack
Back in June 2019, a report from Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport (h/t Liverpool Echo) had claimed that Everton were interested in signing Gregoire Defrel, who was plying his trade with Sampdoria, on loan from AS Roma back then. However, rumours linking Defrel with a move to Merseyside came to nothing. The versatile forward eventually completed a return to his former club Sassuolo.
Profile
Gregoire Defrel started his career at Parma and featured for Foggia in the Italian third-tier before joining Cesena in 2012. He helped Cesena to a promotion-winning campaign in 2013-14 and went on to establish himself as a quality player in the top-flight, bagging 9 goals and 5 assists in the following campaign.
The 29-year-old’s impressive rise to prominence in the Serie A prompted Sassuolo to offer him an escape route following Cesena’s relegation. Defrel went on to enjoy a successful spell at the Mapei Stadium, bagging 23 goals in 73 appearances over the course of two seasons.
That paved the way for a switch to AS Roma but Defrel struggled for game time at the Italian capital during the 2017-18 season.
He redeemed himself on loan at Sampdoria in the following campaign, scoring 11 times in the Serie A before re-joining Sassuolo on loan in 2019. Defrel completed a permanent transfer back to Sassuolo and has enjoyed a positive start to the 2020-21 campaign, registering 1 goal and 1 assist in 5 league appearances.
Defrel would add more variety to Everton’s forward line
The Toffees made a stunning start to the PL campaign with 4 wins out of 4. Their first-choice attacking trio of Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez made a massive impact. Everton, though, failed to win any of their last 4 games heading into the international break after Richarlison’s red card against Liverpool disrupted their influential triumvirate in front of goal.
Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have already been made to pay for their lack of quality alternatives. With Moise Kean and Theo Walcott departing on loan in the summer, the likes of Bernand, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alex Iwobi just haven’t inspired enough confidence with their displays.
To that end, Everton should consider casting their rod into the January market for some quality back-up options in the attack. Reigniting interest in Gregoire Defrel would definitely make a lot of sense.
An overall tally of 44 goals and 22 assists in 170 club career appearances in the Serie A lies testament to Defrel’s pedigree in the final third. He is adept at scoring as well as creating goals for his team. Hence, a potential deal for Defrel would offer Ancelotti some valuable cover in the attack.
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Verdict
Gregoire Defrel might not be among the high-profile stars in the Serie A. But has proven himself to be a decent attacker in the Italian top-flight over the years. He still has several years remaining in his prime at 29. He looks more than capable of embracing a new challenge in English football.
Everton need more depth in their attack if they are to break the top-six lock in the PL. A potential deal for Defrel would surely be a step in the right direction.
