Marcus Bent has exclusively told This is Futbol that Everton must sign a number 10 this summer, with Gylfi Sigurdsson struggling for consistency in general despite his two goals against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
The Icelandic international arrived for a club-record fee from Swansea, but has generally failed to deliver during his time at Goodison Park and has started 18 of Everton’s 32 Premier League games so far this season.
Do Everton need to upgrade Gylfi Sigurdsson?
Yes
No
Carlo Ancelotti has often deployed a three-man midfield this season, with summer signing James Rodriguez on the right, meaning the Toffees have regularly played without a creative central player.
Both Sigurdsson and Rodriguez have chipped in with just four assists in the league this term, with left-back Lucas Digne their top-assister with six.
Despite their lack of creativity, the Toffees remain in the chasing pack for Europe, although their bluntness in attack was epitomised during their goalless draw with Brighton when Ancelotti’s team registered just one single attempt on target.
And Bent old This is Futbol that a number 10 should be priority for director of football Marcel Brands this summer:
“A lot of the players that we’re talking about haven’t really delivered. Sigurdsson, he’s a good player, we know he’s a good player, but he’s not showing the consistencies.
“If he can towards the end of the season show what he’s made of then Everton might give him a new contract with a year left.
“A number 10, a bit like an Arteta, Tim Cahill, you need someone in there – Tommy Gravesen – that can pull the strings and can play these players in that can score the goals.
“It’s going to come down to the new stadium, bringing players in, bolstering the squad, but they definitely need a number 10 coming in that can be instrumental.”