Everton will have a series of difficult decisions to make in 2023. And we don’t just mean the future of Frank Lampard; the Toffees boss under increasing and very audible scrutiny following a run of six defeats in eight games across all competitions.
The contracts of Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, Andros Townsend, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Seamus Coleman, and Salomon Rondon are all expiring in less than 12 months’ time. On current form, it’s difficult to make a claim for any of the aforementioned sextet being offered fresh terms, even if Coleman’s longevity and loyalty is worthy of discussion.
And it seems the process of replacing another out-of-contract player – 35-year-old goalkeeper Asmir Begovic – is already well underway.
Everton target Brice Samba and Nikita Haikin in goalkeeper search
According to 90Min, Everton are big admirers of Brice Samba; the one-time Nottingham Forest favourite now helping RC Lens chase their Champions League dreams across the Channel. A larger-than-life character and an expert penalty saver; it is Samba’s perhaps distribution, above all else, that earns him a place in Everton hearts.
Jordan Pickford’s ability to turn defence into attack with those trademark raking passes remain a major part of the Lampard gameplan at Goodison Park. It makes sense to have a back-up equally comfortable with the ball at his feet.
“Brice is a great, great keeper,” former City Ground team-mate Samba Sow says of a man who forced through a £4 million move to Lens following those play-off semi-final heroics last season. “Sometimes I even want to slap his face because I know he can do more.”
Haikin is leaving Bodo/Glimt for free
Lens, 90Min add, are not going to let Samba go without a fight. Unfortunately for Bodo/Glimt, the days of adopting such a hardline stance over Nikita Haikin’s future are long gone as far as they are concerned. The Israel-born Russian announced on Sunday that he will be leaving the 2021 Norwegian champions imminently. His contract expires next month.
Lampard held talks with Haikin during his time at Chelsea. According to Sport24, the Everton boss could now bring Haikin to Goodison Park instead on a free transfer; providing, of course, he avoids the same fate that befell Rafa Benitez.
“(I am) not surprised by Everton’s interest in Nikita Haikin,” says former Russia coach Yuri Semin. “Nikita has been playing at a high level, in many European matches.”
Begovic was one of the few who could hold his head up following the EFL Cup humiliation at Bournemouth; single-handedly preventing the scoreline from becoming even more lopsided. Everton’s pursuit of a younger model, however, suggests he is still likely to be one of the first victims of a long-awaited overhaul.
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