Moise Kean or Rafael Leao?

The search for Everton’s next number 9 continues. With previously reported target, Sebastien Haller, joining West Ham, now just two rumoured striker transfer targets remain. Young strikers Moise Kean and Rafael Leao have both been heavily rumoured with a move to Everton. Make sure to check out the Toffee TV YouTube channel for more transfer news:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE5SPzHbeBA

The general consensus amongst Evertonians is that a new striker should be the priority in this summer’s transfer window. Although Dominic Calvert-Lewin produced some impressive performances towards the end of the season, he still struggled to score enough goals to worthy a starting place next season.

Having said this, Calvert-Lewin’s physicality benefitted the side massively. His size and strength contributed to him becoming a real handful for Premier League defences.

Furthermore, the benefit of his pace is evident when comparing his contributions to Cenk Tosun; a much slower frontman.

Ideally, Everton should target a striker with similar physical attributes (strength and speed), but also with better technical attributes. The finishing and first touch of Calvert-Lewin was costly at times during attacking phases.

Juventus’s Moise Kean, and Lille’s Rafael Leao have both been strongly linked as being probable replacements for Calvert-Lewin. Kean is just 19, and Leao only 20, but each are proving to be potentially future world-class forwards.

Both Moise Kean and Rafael Leao possess a physical presence, despite only being young. Leao is 6ft 2; the same height as Calvert-Lewin, whilst Kean is 5ft 11. Both players like to use their physicality, which is ideal for Everton.

Kean has so far proven to be the slightly better, and more proven goal scorer, scoring 55 in 102 career appearances. This equates to a minutes per goal ratio of 103.

Leao has scored 23 goals in 54 career appearances, and this equates to a minutes per goal ratio of 125. This indicates that Kean is not only more experienced, but also a more prolific goal scorer. However, this may be partly due to Kean being given more games to improve.

Although Kean has made more appearances overall, Leao played more often last season, with Kean struggling to secure regular game time in a world-class Juventus side.

As he’s proved, Kean is likely to score more goals than Leao, due to being more of a poacher than Leao. He’ll make awkward runs for defenders, and do anything he can to put the ball in the net from crosses and pull-backs. Kean is more instinctive in his goalscoring and movement than Leao and Calvert-Lewin. He’s also very skilful and capable on the ball.

Leao is stylistically more similar to Calvert-Lewin, being the same height and similarly direct in his runs. He’s better physically than Kean and more likely to use his pace in direct runs in-behind defences. Leao is also very skilled on the ball, good in the air, and a great finisher.

Due to how well regarded Kean and Leao are in world football, both would be very expensive at around £40million for either. Furthermore, Juventus and Lille would be reluctant to sell such precocious talents. Regardless of the cost, both players would have a huge sell-on value if they impressed at Everton. Kean is also particularly marketable, with his exuberant personality, whacky celebrations, and being already a well-known player. This would benefit Everton commercially.

Both players would be great additions at Everton. Leao’s style of play would perhaps suit Everton more, due to his hold-up play, pace, and aerial ability. However Kean would probably be a better goal-scorer individually, despite not being as beneficial to the rest of the team. His hold-up play is something he could improve in time, and at 19, he’s younger than Leao, and already generally regarded as a better player.

I’d edge slightly towards Kean in this debate, but certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with the signing of Leao; a player who’s a similarly world class talent.

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BILLY MINSHALL