Everton failed to replace Romelu Lukaku this summer, and reported target Danny Welbeck is showing the Toffees what they could have had.
Everton hit the target with just one of their 12 attempts against Spurs at Goodison Park on Saturday. Although the visitors gave Ronald Koeman’s man a brutal lesson in finishing chances, Harry Kane scoring either side of Christian Eriksen’s strike to give Tottenham a well-deserved 3-0 win.
The Toffees’ failure to replace Romelu Lukaku this summer threatens to undermine an otherwise excellent transfer window with Sandro Ramirez struggling to adapt to the pace and power of the Premier League.
While Everton were toiling against Mauricio Pochettino’s rampant Spurs, however, Danny Welbeck was enjoying one of his finest performances in an Arsenal shirt.
The England striker scored twice as The Gunners got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Bournemouth, arriving unmarked to head home a clever opener before sealing the win with a well-placed left-footed drive from a difficult angle.
Welbeck had never before scored more than four league goals in a season for Arsenal but he has three to his name already this and, after recovering from long-term injuries, once again looks like the powerful and pacey forward that Arsene Wenger’s side have badly missed.
Where there’s a Well, there’s a way
Therefore, Everton supporters could be forgiven for wondering how their side’s European prospects would look if they had a proven, experienced Premier League striker like Welbeck leading the line. The Mirror reported last month that the Toffees were hoping to land the former Manchester United striker for £30 million after missing out on Arsenal teammate Olivier Giroud.
And, although Welbeck’s scoring record could do with some work, it is difficult to see any better potential replacements for Lukaku on the current market. He would have given Everton some much needed presence and an outlet that they have lacked with the diminutive Sandro in the number nine position. He would offer the pace, too, that Rooney’s ageing limbs lack.
However, for the next four months at least, Koeman will have to find another answer.
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