The German was a star for Sunderland when Big Sam led them to Premier League survival.
Ross Barkley of Everton is closed down by Jan Kirchhoff of Sunderland
Everton have finally appointed a successor to Ronald Koeman, with former England boss Sam Allardyce getting the nod after weeks of deliberation.
Now attention turns to keeping Everton in the top-flight after what has been a disastrous start to the new campaign.
Come January the Toffees are likely to make some changes in order to survive but there is one man they might be tempted to bring in now, one who Allardyce knows very well.
Wes Hoolahan of Norwich City is tackled by Jan Kirchhoff of Sunderland
Jan Kirchhoff is currently without a contract and looking for a new club. If Everton were to have targeted the German back in the summer of 2016 most fans at Goodison would have been happy. He played an integral role in keeping Allardyce’s Sunderland in the Premier League after joining from Bayern Munich on an 18-month deal. Deployed as a holding midfielder, his superb performances helped the Black Cats scrape their way to survival yet again.
But just a year on and he was released. Kirchhoff played just nine times for the club in their ill-fated relegation campaign after a series of hamstring and knee injuries. His contract expired in the summer and he remains without a club.
Jan Kirchhoff of Sunderland receives treatment
He has recently been linked with Kaiserslautern and Hannover in his homeland and is reported as fit for action. Allardyce was a huge fan of the 27-year-old who clearly has what it takes for a Premier League scrap. Capable of playing both as a sitting midfielder or in the heart of defence, he is also a player Everton need. Add to that his free agent status and he is a no-brainer signing considering Everton’s plight and his excellent rapport with the new gaffer.
Bringing in Kirchhoff could again be a masterstroke from Big Sam.
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