Atalanta’s Europa League star Andrea Petanga could be Everton’s missing piece

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Andrea Petanga was in superb form as Atalanta cruised past Everton in the Europa League last week.

Papu Gomes’ right-footed worldie will remain the abiding memory from Everton’s 3-0 Europa League thumping away to Atalanta on Thursday.

However, the wily Argentine talisman was perhaps overshadowed by his attacking partner Andrea Petagna – even if the young Italian centre-forward didn’t get his name on the scoresheet in a thrilling first-half blitz from the side who finished fourth in Serie A last season.

Petagna was a constant menace to Ronald Koeman’s side, bullying Phil Jagielka with his physicality and composed hold-up play. The 22-year-old, who started his career at AC Milan, barely put a foot wrong in a selfless display, capped by two fine assists.

He set up Gomes’ opener with a clever lofted pass before playing in Bryan Cristante to slot home the third before half-time. Petagna, who led the line for Italy at the Under-23 European Championships this summer, may earn a place in the senior set up if he continues at this rate.

Petagna is only now starting to get the attention his potential deserves and Everton should not let his star turn pass them by.

Proven his worth

After all, The Toffees’ run of four games without a goal in all competitions has brutally highlighted their failure to replace Romelu Lukaku in the summer.

And while Petagna is hardly the most prolific of forwards, scoring five league goals last season compared to Lukaku’s 25, the strapping Italian would provide something Everton are badly lacking – presence.

Ronald Koeman spoke of a desire to share the goals around this season but roving playmakers like Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson would surely only be at their best with a powerful frontman to play off.

Klaassen and Sigurdsson were at their best when dovetailing with the likes of Kasper Dolberg, Arak Milik, Wilfried Bony and Fernando Llorente after all.

Therefore, when Atalanta travel to Goodison Park later in the group stage, perhaps Everton should have a word with their Italian opposition about that kid up top.