Reported target Helder Costa suits Ronald Koeman’s Everton more than Gerard Deulofeu

Follow us on Google Discover

Wolves’ on-loan winger has been in electric form this season; but can he replicate the same performances in an Everton shirt?

One out, one in for Everton? Days after Gerard Deulofeu completed his protracted move to AC Milan, O Jogo reports that Ronald Koeman’s side are preparing a move for Wolves forward Helder Costa.

The 23-year-old has offered a streak of magic in an otherwise uninspiring Wolves side this season, winning over the fans by netting seven goals in 25 Championship fixtures.

However, a departure from the English second tier always appeared inevitable for the Benfica owned Costa and, according to O Jogo, he could ascend to the top tier in the immediate future with Everton preparing a £13 million offer.

After all, Benfica are badly in need of funds with a UEFA report claiming that only Manchester United have accrued more debt in the whole of the European game. Therefore, £13 million for a player who has only ever played one game for the senior team is almost impossible to turn down.

A powerful, direct runner with excellent ball control and the ability to both score himself and create for others, Costa possesses the same basic skill set as his Everton’s recently departed Spaniard. However, unlike the lightweight, often idle Deulofeu, the Portuguese youngster’s work ethic will surely ensure he doesn’t suffer the same fate under the disciplinarian Dutch manager.

According to WhoScored, Costa averages 1.6 successful tackles per game compared to Deulofeu’s almost non-existent 0.5.

Furthermore, while Costa concedes 1.2 fouls per game, the fact that Deulofeu’s tally drops to 0.2 suggests that the former, unlike the latter, possesses the appetite for hard work, tracking back and putting pressure on opposition players; attributes Koeman demands.

“With Gerard, with Kevin [Mirallas], I like the players, but they need to run more. They need to do more, they need to press more,” Koeman said earlier in the season, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

“It’s all about the work rate of the player.”

In Koeman’s team, talent is not nearly enough. Inspiration must be backed up with no lack of perspiration. Fortunately, Costa balances the two quite nicely.