According to SPORT, Rafa Benitez is planning to axe Yerry Mina from Everton’s backline and replace him with Clement Lenglet.
What’s the story?
Well, the Spanish news outlet believe Mina’s departure from Goodison Park is ‘more than evident’ – they write as if he’s definitely leaving Everton.
Benitez doesn’t see the Colombia international as someone he wants to build his defence around.
Instead, the Spaniard believes Lenglet is the man to help guide the likes of Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate through the 2021/22 campaign.
The France international – who Barcelona paid £31.7m to sign – made one appearance at EURO 2020, but was subbed at half-time.
Ronald Koeman and Barcelona President Joan Laporta are willing to sanction his departure, as the Spanish giants are desperate for cash.
Risky move for Everton
By most accounts, Lenglet didn’t have a very good 2020/21 season.
The 26-year-old was sent off in Barcelona’s final La Liga game of the term, and then had a nightmare at EURO 2020.
Lenglet’s one appearance came in the defeat to Switzerland, and he was so poor that Didier Deschamps took him off at half-time, as aforesaid.
Funnily enough, Everton also signed Mina from Barcelona after a disappointing season, so history could repeat itself.
SPORT believe Napoli colossus Kalidou Koulibaly is another option for Everton, and in our view, he’s the man to build a defence around.
Not Lenglet, who has looked far from formidable for a while now.
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