OPINION
It is quite difficult to say exactly where Everton’s season has gone wrong but it is quite clear that the lack of firepower up front has done them no good in the slightest.
There was no new striker brought in either over the summer or winter markets – although Richarlison has seen himself utilised as a centre forward at times this season – and Marco Silva’s men have suffered as a result.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still a very raw striker who lacks the composure to lead the line to great effect while the less said about Cenk Tosun the better – the 27-year-old suffering a hugely disappointing season in terms of his form in front of goal.
A new centre forward would bring the club renewed optimism and hope and it is easy to see why they have reportedly made RB Leipzig’s Jean-Kevin Augustin their number one target, according to Calcio Mercato.
He might not be the most prolific of strikers – with just eight goals in 28 appearances – but at 21-years-old and with only half of those outings coming in the starting XI, it suggests a very bright future for the young hotshot.
With an asking price reported by the Sun to be in the region of £38million, he is an expensive outlay but one which would have Goodison Park erupting – not least because it would surely be the end of Tosun up front.
The sooner the Turkish international leaves Merseyside the better for all parties – and replacing him with Augustin would give the fans something to celebrate when they see the line up, rather than putting their head into their hands.
The Frenchman might be costly and without a proven history but 20 goals in 37 starts for the German side suggests he could well bang the goals in on a regular basis – which is exactly what the Toffees need.
Calvert-Lewin and Augustin would be a very exciting forward line at Goodison – and surely anything is better than Tosun.