OPINION
Everton must swiftly put the brakes on their reported big-money pursuit of Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi as he is not worth taking the gamble on.
Guardian deputy editor Ed Aarons reported on Wednesday, via his Twitter account, that the Toffees were attempting to purchase the 25-year-old forward with the Blues wanting £35million for him.
Apologies – Everton are attempting to PURCHASE Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea. They are hoping to do a deal before tomorrow's deadline #efc #cfc
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 30, 2019
Understand Chelsea want around £35m from Everton for Batshuayi. Story soon @guardian_sport
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 30, 2019
There’s no arguing that the Toffees need to welcome a forward before the January window slams shut but given Batshuayi’s price and track records, Marco Silva’s side must swiftly end their pursuit as it will be a mistake.
The 25-year-old has struggled all season on loan at Valencia, managing only three goals in 23 outings, and has just looked so far from being clinical that you wouldn’t back him to succeed at Goodison Park.
This is particularly the case when you consider that Batshuayi’s goalscoring record in the Premier League doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence either.
The Belgian attacker has only managed seven goals in 32 outings in England’s top division and when you consider he featured for a Chelsea side that created chance after chance, it should make the Toffees realise he is not the man for them.
Batshuayi’s Chelsea teammate Olivier Giroud in fact is far superior option if the Toffees are insisted on raiding the Blues to find a solution for their attacking problems.
While the French international is much older at the age of 32-years-old and has been prolific this season, he is the better option.
Giroud is proven in the Premier League having scored 77 goals in the division and when he isn’t on song, he has shown in his 2018/19 campaign that his presence and work-rate sees others get chances to score.
It’s worth noting that due to the French international’s age he is unlikely to cost a jaw-dropping amount like Batshuayi and be less of a risk to sign as a result.
With all this in mind, the Toffees should swiftly put the brakes on their big-money pursuit of Batshuayi and consider Giroud if their set on poaching a Chelsea forward.