The ex Sunderland, Crystal Palace and West Ham United manager is one of the favourites to succeed Ronald Koeman at Everton.
Former Sunderland, Crystal Palace and West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is one of the favourites to succeed Ronald Koeman at Everton.
But which of the 53-year-old’s ex-players do Everton most need, and could he get them to Goodison Park?
Mamadou Sakho
Forget his Liverpool past, Sakho has shown in his handful of Crystal Palace appearances that he can be a very good Premier League defender. Everton’s have started to show their age this season and at 27, the Frenchman still has many of his best years ahead of him. An added bonus – he would also provide much-needed left-back cover.
Could Sam get him? It’s perhaps unlikely given Palace’s reported £25 million outlay, although the Toffees chances will undoubtedly improve should the Eagles go down – assuming they don’t drop themselves.
Aaron Cresswell
An actual left-back, Cresswell has been a Premier League regular for the past three and a bit campaigns and won his first England caps within the last 12 months. Leighton Baines’ best days are arguably behind him and the West Ham star could be a decent replacement long-term. One slight problem – the local product is a Liverpool fan.
Could Sam get him? Again, it could be difficult right now, but West Ham’s relegation would certainly aid the Toffees’ cause.
Christian Benteke
Benteke’s 66 goals in 160 Premier League games suggest he could be the man to solve Everton’s post-Romelu Lukaku problems. He is another, however, for whom Crystal Palace paid big money – indeed £3 million more than Sakho – and also has Liverpool connections.
Could Sam get him? See Sakho. Even if he were to move in January, the Belgian would perhaps need time to get up to speed after an injury.
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