The 22-year-old Middlesbrough defender is reportedly on the Toffees’ radar.
Everton will target a move for Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson if Nemanja Vidic cannot be lured to Goodison Park, according to the Mirror.
Indeed, Roberto Martinez’s side are said to be tracking Inter Milan and former Manchester United centre-back Vidic.
But the Serb is only Everton’s third choice, having missed out on Angelo Ogbonna and Scott Danns, while England Under-21 international Gibson will be turned to if Vidic is not tempted by a move to Merseyside.
That’s the current state of play as far as Martinez’s bid to improve his defence is concerned, as per the Mirror.
| 2014/15 (Per Game) | Tackles | Interceptions | Headers | Clearances | Appearances | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leighton Baines | 1.52 | 1.45 | 0.61 | 2.84 | 31 | 2,774 |
| Seamus Coleman | 1.2 | 1.11 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 35 | 3,065 |
| John Stones | 1.17 | 1.52 | 2.61 | 6 | 23 | 2,043 |
| Phil Jagielka | 1.16 | 1.54 | 2.89 | 10.03 | 37 | 3,285 |
| Ben Gibson | 0.49 | 1.67 | 2.05 | 4.62 | 39 | 3,218 |
As Opta stats show, Middlesbrough’s Gibson compared poorly with Everton’s main defenders in terms of the amount of tackles he won, although the 22-year-old did average more interceptions per game than any of the Toffees’ back line.
Gibson fared reasonably well in terms of headers, meanwhile, but averaged less clearances per match.
It’s also worth noting that Gibson was playing at a level lower than the Everton defenders in the Championship. However, there is no doubt the Boro man is a promising young defender. Just like John Stones.
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