Why Everton should look to sign Moussa Dembele from Tottenham Hotspur.
As Everton look to climb the table after a poor start to the Premier League season, the injury to Gareth Barry threatens to highlight their need for reinforcements in midfield.
With January fast approaching, the availability of a talented midfielder in North London should start to figure on their radar.
Moussa Dembele has started only two Premier League games for Spurs, two years after signing for the club for £15 million from Fulham.
With poor performances at Tottenham setting the club about into a period of reflection, Dembele is one of the names rumoured to be high on the exit list, even though the club would struggle to recoup the fee they paid for him.
His impressive range of passing helps make him ideal for Roberto Martinez’s style of football, and it is reasonable to consider the Spaniard would help him flourish at Goodison Park. Dembele has recorded a pass completion rate this season of 88 per cent in the Premier League.
He is still considered talented enough to be a starter for Belgium, named ahead of their friendly with Iceland tonight in their line-up.
There is the international connection with striker Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, which could help him settle on and off the pitch.
Dembele has never been a prolific goalscorer since being converted to a midfielder by Martin Jol at Fulham, but he has energy and is a strong tackler, averaging 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season and 3.3 per game in the Europa League.
As a midfield partner for James McCarthy, Everton could do far worse than sign the talented and likely available Dembele, who would need no adjusting to the Premier League, and will surely benefit from the change of scenery.
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