Over the last week we have seen a smattering of reports which suggest that Everton, under new management and ownership, are preparing to try to spend their way into the big league.
Whether this is just white noise in order to keep their star players is debatable. But, when you look at how much Leicester and Crystal Palace are spending this summer, you can see that the TV money alone is such that Everton’s recent money worries are behind them.
So we can expect a few top signings and the name of Juan Mata has been mentioned more than once in relation to Everton this summer.
The Daily Mail re-stoked the fire in the latest news cycle, suggesting that:
Former boss Ronald Koeman wants to bring midfielder to Everton
Nouveau riche Everton are already the bookmakers’ favourites to sign Mata. Manager Ronald Koeman worked with a young Mata while manager at Valencia and was credited with setting the young playmaker on his successful career path.
The report also states that Mata wants to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place.
But Mourinho sold Mata for a great price while at Chelsea and we don’t think that The Portuguese will have seen much to change his opinion of the player since he moved to Manchester United in January 2015 for £37.1m.
Because Mata needs to play at number 10. It’s by far and away his best position and he simply doesn’t have the pace or power to be an effective winger in The Premier League.
But Jose stated in his first Manchester United press conference that Wayne Rooney would be reinstated to the attack next term. With Zlatan expected to play number 9 this means that Wazza will surely play in the hole.
So can Mata be a success at Everton? Absolutely, providing he is given the number 10 position and allowed to play to his strengths.
Here are some of his highlights. Everton fans: worth the money?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duWW1SREVPc