Everton need a left-back and did Crystal Palace’s Patrick van Aanholt show at the weekend he could be the right man?
Everton got back to winning ways in the Premier League following their 5-1 defeat at Arsenal the previous week by beating Crystal Palace 3-1.
The Toffees moved back above Bournemouth into ninth place as a result and are now just two points off Burnley in seventh following their loss at Swansea City.
However, while few Eagles players impressed at Goodison Park, manager Sam Allardyce may have had his eye on one who has played under him at two clubs in the past.
That man was Patrick van Aanholt, who got forward well from left-back and crossed brilliantly for new signing Alexander Sorloth to almost score with a header.
Allardyce has issues on the left side of defence, with Leighton Baines having been absent there for much of the season due to injury meaning with no natural replacement, Cuco Martina has been playing out of position and has struggled at times.
The Everton boss said towards the end of the January transfer window that he could not find a full-back to sign, telling the Liverpool Echo: “We have looked at many left-backs and obviously we can’t find the right left-back that we’re looking for.
“There’s obviously a great shortage of quality players throughout the world who can play in the Premier League, I don’t have any doubts about that.”
Yet could Van Aanholt, whom Allardyce managed at Sunderland and Palace, be the ideal competition for Baines so that Martina can return to his usual role at right-back?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
