Grading Everton’s summer signings – Sandro Ramirez and Nikola Vlasic

Follow us on Google Discover

Ronald Koeman did not fare well at Everton this season, but what about two of his young signings?

The November international break is a checkpoint which signals that we are roughly a third of the way through the season.

This is, in most cases, a long enough time for judgements to be made on the millions of pounds worth of summer signings.

Here we take a closer look at two of Everton’s youngest summer signings – Sandro Ramirez and Nikola Vlasic.

Sandro Ramirez

The Toffees had a huge void to fill following Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Manchester United, and the 22-year-old Spaniard was the closest thing to a No.9 that Ronald Koeman brought in last summer.

Sandro couldn’t be further away from being a like-for-like replacement for the Belgian. The former Barcelona trainee is not comfortable leading the line on his own, particularly in the more physical Premier League. Opportunities for him to play as a No.10 have been seldom because of Everton’s numerous, more senior options in this position.

As Sky Sports reports, Sandro cost a measly £5.25m from Malaga, and he also has age on his side so Everton can afford to give him time to settle. However, his future at Goodison Park could well depend on who is appointed as the club’s next manager as he has only featured once – as a Europa League substitute – under David Unsworth.

Grade: D-

Nikola Vlasic

During a summer in which several big names arrived at even bigger prices, the capture of Vlasic for £8m for Hadjuk Split went a little under the radar – fee according to Sky Sports. But the deadline-day signing has been one of the few success stories of Everton’s transfer window.

The Croatian made his mark in the latter days of the Koeman reign by coming into a struggling side and playing across several midfield positions with great confidence. He even opened his Everton account with a goal in the 2-2 draw with Apollon Limassol in the Europa League.

Unlike several other Koeman buys, Vlasic has the physical durability to adapt to the Premier League quickly, if given the opportunity. He is another who has been shafted by caretaker boss Unsworth, and the early indiciations are that Vlasic is a talent that Everton shouldn’t let waste away.

Grade: B-