Really special: Jenas and Keown claim Andrea Petagna, who tormented Everton, is just what Koeman needs

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Atalanta striker Andrea Petagna was a thorn in Everton’s side last week.

Everton were hammered 3-0 by Atalanta in the Europa League last week – and pundits Jermaine Jenas and Martin Keown have told BT Sport that striker Andrea Petagna is just what is needed at Goodison Park.

The Toffees have endured a miserable month, having lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham, 3-0 at Atalanta and 4-0 to Manchester United in a run of results that has piled the pressure on manager Ronald Koeman.

Arguably the most worrying of those three defeats was the the 3-0 thumping at Atalanta in the Europa League last week, as Andrea Masiello, Alejandro Gomez and Bryan Cristante all found the net.

Everton were all at sea defensively in Italy, and Atalanta – who finished fourth in Serie A last season – ran riot against Koeman’s defence.

One player who particularly impressed for Atalanta was striker Andrea Petagna, who was a thorn in Everton’s side thanks to his hold-up, link-up, strength and pace.

The former AC Milan youngster joined Atalanta in 2016, and whilst he scored just five goals last season, he has become an Italy international, and has already notched one goal and two assists this term.

The 22-year-old stands at 6ft 3in tall and has impressed as a strong target man, and Everton simply couldn’t handle him in what was a model centre forward’s display.

Everton are lacking a striker after Romelu Lukaku’s move to Manchester United, and pundits Jermaine Jenas and Martin Keown have told BT Sport that they think Petagna was ‘really special’ and the type of striker Everton need to sign.

“This guy was really special,” said Jenas. “He was the catalyst for everything that was good about them. What Everton lacked in terms of a hold-up man, and someone leading the line, this guy epitomised exactly what they needed; he was unselfish in making sure that he brought other players into the game, and Everton did not know what to do with him.”

“A really good target man, just the sort of player that Everton would love to have,” added Keown, and Everton may be wise to track Petanga’s progress ahead of the January transfer window having impressed so much against the Toffees.