Marvelous Nakamba has impressed in the Eredivisie with Vitesse Arnhem and seems to have caught the eye of Dutchman Ronald Koeman.
It’s been quite the rise for Idrissa Gana Gueye. Relegated with Aston Villa just seven months ago, the tough-tackling midfielder is now an indispensable cog in an Everton team pushing for European football.
However, The Toffees hopes of maintaining their valuable seventh placed standing could well be tested in the weeks ahead with their dynamic, all-action midfielder jetting off for the African Cup of Nations after Monday’s clash with Southampton.
And it just so happens that Gueye’s nation, Senegal, are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Gabon. And while no Everton fan would willingly wish disappointment upon their dynamic enforcer, the prospect of Gueye missing up to six matches if Senegal reach the final means few Toffees fans will be disappointed if the 27-year-old’s dreams are crushed in the group stage.
Though, according to a report in De Gelderlander, Ronald Koeman is prepared for the, let’s say, least desirable scenario.
They claim that Everton are interested in Vitesse Arnhem’s Marvelous Nakamba, a midfielder more combative and sharp-edged than his name suggests.
The 22-year-old Zimbabwe international may too be heading off to AFCON but, with his nation ranked as one of the weakest in the competition, an early return to Europe should be expected.
Therefore, he would have more than enough time to make a crucial impact in the potentially long-term absence of Gueye, with his impressive tally of 2.5 interceptions and 3.2 tackles per game in the Eredivisie suggesting he could replicate the tenacity and ball-winning tendencies of his fellow midfielder.
You couldn’t accuse Everton of failing to prepare.
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