Everton entered the season frustrated. It was a testing transfer period, but star defender Jarrad Branthwaite was injured again. He is still out of action.
But manager David Moyes has shown remarkable durability and people management skills to pull Everton away from the relegation blight he has shared the stage with in recent years and are now seen as outsiders in the race for European qualification in the Premier League.
The Toffees have survived a tough winter with solid foundations despite a depleted squad, but Moyes will be determined to package more quality across the park.
Everton ready to sign Preme star
Everton are currently focused on adding attacking power to their team. Tierno Barry is expected to be signed, but other players are also being considered, including Callum Wilson and Fenerbahce forward Youssef En-Nesyri.
However, the absence of AFCON champion Iliman Ndiayi last month has highlighted the need for further strengthening in the attacking midfield department, with the Blues setting their sights on one of the Premier League’s best sides this season.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are ready to battle several Premier League rivals for Fulham’s Harry Wilson, who has been in excellent form for Marco Silva’s side this season.
Wilson, 28, comes from Liverpool’s youth set-up and is interested in returning to the north-east of England. Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are also keen.
The Wales international is out of contract at the end of the season and the Friedkin Group have an opportunity to seal a deal here as the Cottage push to extend their new talisman’s stay.
Why Moyes wants Harry Wilson
Wilson is an athletic and dynamic winger, but first and foremost efficient. There’s no frills to his game, so I can see why Moyes is interested. Data-driven platform FBref suggests there are similarities between the Fulham man and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.
Bowen, 30, is a shining light for the Hammers, who are on the brink of dropping out of the Championship. Still, he is a superstar and his 101 direct contributions to goals under the Scottish manager are the most of any player to have played under him.
Bowen is a technically gifted, deceptively fast, underrated playmaker who, like Wilson, is picky.
Wilson has long been known as a canny player with a speculative perspective. However, he has honed his skill set over the past year and is now establishing himself as a truly prolific Premier League player.
As Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley pointed out, Wilson may be an “in-form Premier League player” right now, but Moyes will look at his style and understand how to cement that level in the coming years.
In fact, Wilson is currently riding the biggest wave of his career in England’s top flight, ranking in the top 5% for goals, top 11% for assists, top 13% for switches and top 3% for clearances, according to FBref.
Because of his skill set, Bowen is viewed as one of the most comparable players.
Harry Wilson – Premier League season statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
season | app | Goal + Assist |
25/26 (full) | twenty one | 7+4 |
24/25 (full) | twenty five | 6+2 |
23/24 (full) | 35 | 4+7 |
22/23 (full) | 29 | 2+5 |
19/20 (BOU) | 31 | 7+0 |
Dates via Transfermarkt | ||
Incredibly, Wilson has saved each of his seven big chances in the Premier League this season. He has never missed a golden shot on goal.
It’s something worth fighting for and Moyes knows that. He has previously nurtured Bowen into superstardom in east London, watching the England star convert under pressure in a dying game against Fiorentina and clinching the 2023 Conference League title.
This is a deal that Everton need to get over the line. Ndiaye’s impending return from AFCON will likely reignite Everton’s attacking fluency, but Wilson is a positionally flexible player and is currently at the top of his game. He will be a real asset and someone Moyes will not allow to leave for a Premier League rival.
