Vincenzo Montella directed both barrells at the French forward after Milan’s draw with Torino; so why would Everton touch him?
As Ronald Koeman has made abundantly clear since taking over at Everton, hard work isn’t merely an expectation. It’s a requirement. Anyone seen to be flouting the demands for high-pressing and hard-tracking, we’re looking at you Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu, would be out on their ear.
Therefore, reports by Gianluca Di Marzio that Everton are heading the race for AC Milan winger Mbaye Niang raises a few questions. Primarily, why would Koeman approach a player renowned for his, let’s say, ‘unprofessional’ lifestyle off the pitch and idle performances on it?
Milan boss Vincenzo Montella confirmed to the club’s official website on Tuesday that the Frenchman would be allowed to leave the club mid-season even though the Rossineri are locked in an intense battle to return to European football for the first time since 2013/14.
And the fact that they are more than keen to sanction his departure says a lot more about Niang’s work ethic than his talent. While the latter is undoubted, the former leaves plenty to be desired.
Just over a week ago, Niang was thrown on in the final minutes as Montella’s Milan were drawing 2-2 away at Torino. However, he repaid his manager’s faith with a totally anonymous performance and, at the death, failed to even lengthen his stride as an inviting ball whizzed across the six yard box.
“Niang needs to do more and put the effort in,” Montella sighed after the game, as reported by Football Italia.
“I did get rather angry with Niang at the end, as that [late chance] could’ve been finalized. So many other times I complimented him after matches, but not this time.”
Koeman shipped Deulofeu out to the San Siro amid apparent concerns over his work ethic; but how will he deal with Milan’s problem child?
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