Wednesday 25 January 2017

Are AFCB about to join the race to sign Everton defender?

Ronald Koeman has been honest in saying that he does not know whether Phil Jagielka will leave Everton in this window, but it is clear that the England central defender is not getting game time at the Toffees and Sunderland have been linked with him. But David Moyes has just signed another former Everton player that he has worked with before - Joleon Lescott. Does that mean that Jagielka is still wanting a move and could AFCB be in the running now?
Phil Jagielka at AFCB for the FA Cup last season.
Eddie Howe does not give anything away in his transfer dealing, but I suspect that a goalkeeper is not the only player that he is trying to get in during this window. The defensive cover is lighter than it was when Nathan Aké was at the club and experience in the back four looks thin when Simon Francis had to miss a few games. Marc Wilson should really be the player that Howe has to step in when the back four needs that game knowledge, yet I'm wondering if Wilson is really the player that AFCB thought they were getting when he signed from Stoke City. He's hardy played for AFCB and I know some of that is down to injury.

Whether Howe would decide to go with starting a new centre-back instead of Steve Cook and Simon Francis is probably one step too far. If Phil Jagielka came to Bournemouth he may find that he can't simply jump straight into the team. It is that kind of problem that will make it hard for AFCB to sign any centre-back in this window, but you can't guarantee a player games before he signs on the dotted line.


Advertisement
 

So if the club does not bring in a centre-back now would it be a disaster? I don't necessarily think it would be a massive blow, but the side would benefit from a signing of two and the centre-back position is an area where fans can see that a very good defender would perhaps give the side a much better chance of finishing in the top half. Whether it is Jagielka or not, I am hopeful of a couple of signings before the window shuts.

Meanwhile, Southend midfielder Jack Bridge is training with the Cherries, according to the Echo. Sam Surridge and Matt Worthington have also signed extended contracts at AFCB. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

tag: