Everton seem to be linked with about ten different players each day at the moment. Although most rumours are presumably completely untrue, a reoccurring rumour about an incoming player, is that Juventus’s Adrien Rabiot could be joining Everton this summer. Although he’s clearly talented, issues off the pitch and inconsistency have been prevalent during Rabiot’s career so far. However, Everton could be the club for him to thrive at.

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Why would Juve sell?

If the reports are true, Everton could be the favourites to sign 25-year-old Frenchman, Adrien Rabiot. Despite only joining Juventus last summer, the Turin-based club could be looking to sell Rabiot very soon. They have a hugely

talented squad which is highlighted by the fact that someone as talented as Rabiot has played just 1656 minutes across all competitions since his move. Because of the lack of minutes, he’s struggled to make an impact in one of the world’s most impressive squads, which includes a midfield of Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi, Aaron Ramsey, and Rodrigo Bentancur.

PSG breakthrough

The central-midfielder was seen as one of the most promising talents in European football following his breakthrough at PSG (under Carlo Ancelotti) at aged just 17. Ancelotti was clearly a fan of Rabiot, using the player throughout much of the following seasons.

Off-pitch antics

Despite the early success, Rabiot’s off-pitch antics signalled the end of his time with the French champions. In October 2018, he was dropped from the France starting team after arriving late to a meeting. The following January, after refusing to renew his PSG contract and failing to appear for the first team since the previous month, Rabiot was forced to train with the reserves. Then, in March 2019, he was suspended by PSG for going out to a nightclub after a 3-1 loss to Manchester United, and liking a social media post which celebrated United’s win.

Style of play

Rabiot boasts both physical and technical attributes. At 6ft 2, he’s a strong and powerful runner with the ball. He’s mobile, and has great control and dribbling. A dynamic and technically gifted midfielder, Rabiot is well-rounded enough to be versatile within the central-midfield role. Although often deployed as a box-to-box midfielder, he’s equally comfortable (and arguably better) as a deep-lying midfielder.

With Ancelotti’s Everton often opting for a two-man central midfield, it’s necessary that those playing there, must be dynamic and well-rounded. Rabiot is just that. He’d complement a ball-winning midfielder like Jean-Phillipe Gbamin very well, and should suit Ancelotti’s two-man central midfield.

Much like Andre Gomes, Rabiot isn’t prolific with goals and assists, but his affect on a team is evident. Both are powerful runners, with great passing and an ability to keep possession.

Should Everton sign him?

As seen this season, Everton’s central-midfield isn’t good enough. Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin both lack mobility, Tom Davies seems like he could do with a loan, whilst Fabian Delph has had a fairly slow start at the club. With Jean-Philippe Gbamin suffering yet another long-term injury, it leaves Andre Gomes as the only centre-midfielder available, and good enough. It may be a good idea for Everton to invest in two players in this area, and Rabiot could be one of those.

It mustn’t be forgotten that under Ancelotti, Rabiot was first given an opportunity to play first-team football for PSG, and really flourished. The off-field troubles arose well after the departure of Ancelotti, and both Rabiot and Ancelotti may feel they have unfinished business with each other, and want to reunite at Everton.

Adding the Frenchman to Everton’s midfield would add a huge amount of quality, and would be a massive upgrade on Gylfi Sigurdsson. A squad which includes Adrien Rabiot, Andre Gomes, and someone like Ibrahim Sangare (all competing for two centre-midfield places) would improve the side massively.

 

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