Everton’s Ashley Williams hasn’t enjoyed the greatest start to the season.
Ashley Williams of Everton
Everton’s Ashley Williams has endured a difficult start to the season, and his performances may just force the Toffees into the transfer market in January.
Williams, 33, left Swansea City in 2016 after more than 350 appearances for the Swans, moving on to Goodison Park having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most solid defenders.
After a decent if unspectacular first season on Merseyside, Williams has struggled this term, showing real nervousness in possession and uncharacteristically questionable decision making, contributing to Everton’s poor defensive displays.
Manager Ronald Koeman may look to bring in another centre back to partner Michael Keane in January, and if Everton decide to cash in on Williams in 2018, then Celtic would make sense as a destination for the Welsh international.
Celtic boss Rodgers saw a summer deal for South African defender Rivaldo Coetzee collapse, and as if his need for a defender wasn’t strong enough already, he has seen Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko all suffer with injuries since the end of last season, forcing midfielders Nir Bitton and Kristoffer Ajer into defensive action.
Rodgers brought in Kolo Toure as a veteran presence to help his young defenders last season, and if he decides to go for a similar tactic in 2018, then Williams fits the bill with bags of Premier League and international experience.
Williams played under Rodgers at Swansea for two years, winning promotion together before also staying in the Premier League, and BBC Sport even reported that Rodgers wanted to sign Williams for Liverpool – but the Anfield transfer committee blocked his request.
If given the chance to reunite again, Rodgers would surely take that opportunity having already reunited with the likes of Dorus De Vries, Toure, Scott Sinclair and Jonny Hayes at Celtic Park, whilst a move to Celtic would also give Williams a chance to play Champions League football before he retires; a potentially enticing option in the latter stages of his career.
There is still time for Williams to turn things around at Everton, and he’s been through enough ups and downs in his career to know that a few poor performances won’t spell the end for him, but if his form continues and Everton end up looking to move him on next year, then it would be little surprise to see Celtic in the race for his signature.
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