Everton failed to sign a left-back in January and although new Manchester City loanee Eliaquim Mangala can play there, will they regret that?
Eliaquim Mangala of Manchester City during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match against Bristol City.
Everton were far from quiet in the January transfer window, following up a busy summer by spending around £47m on Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott and then bringing Eliaquim Mangala in on loan from Manchester City on deadline day.
Yet still no new left-back came through the doors at Goodison Park, which perhaps should have been unsurprising considering what manager Sam Allardyce said just before the window closed.
Sam Allardyce, manager of Everton, looks on prior to the Premier League match against Leicester City.
“We have looked at many left-backs and obviously we can’t find the right left-back that we’re looking for,” Allardyce told the Liverpool Echo.
“There’s obviously a great shortage of quality players throughout the world who can play in the Premier League, I don’t have any doubts about that – so to try and find one in this window means that you would be taking a gamble.
“Our balance is not very good because we don’t have anybody like that apart from Bainesy (Leighton Baines).”
Baines is 33-years-old and has now not played since the 4-1 defeat to Southampton on November 26 due to a calf injury.
Once considered arguably the best in the position in the Premier League, the England international’s form and fitness levels have now significantly dropped.
Leighton Baines of Everton in action during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
It means that usual right-back Cuco Martina has been playing out of position on the left and has failed to impress, even if Allardyce believes the defender deserves more praise.
“I think Cuco Martina is a far better player than he is being given credit for, and that’s because defensively he is very solid,” the 63-year-old continued.
Luke Garbutt has been recalled from the Under-23s but having played just 12 senior games for the Toffees since first progressing from the academy back in 2011, it remains to be seen if the 24-year-old even has what is required.
New City loanee Mangala is left-footed and has played at full-back in the past but is far more comfortable centrally. Is the real gamble that Allardyce has taken failing to sign an adequate backup for Baines?
Marc Albrighton of Leicester City controls the ball ahead of Cuco Martina of Everton during the Premier League match at Goodison Park.
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