Dyche could finally solve Everton’s ’embarrassing’ issue with £17m swoop in January
Sean Dyche made his priority at Everton clear from day one: defence would come first.
Having failed at both ends of the pitch under Frank Lampard, the former Burnley boss sought to at least return to what he knew best, adding some much-needed organisation to a backline lacking in confidence and quality.
In the end, it would earn them their survival, but now he must add some attacking flair to maintain their Premier League status.
Fortunately for him, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto are two incredibly capable forwards, both of whom are vying for the starting striker spot with appearances in recent clashes.
And yet, the Toffees could still be yet to secure a man to potentially usurp them both, given the goalscoring figures are hardly stellar despite the availability of the marksmen.
Although only 21 years old, Maximilian Beier is already proving himself a threat at the top level, and has in turn earned links from German outlet Bild who note a potential Goodison Park switch.
Given his early-career form, the £17m release clause touted could mark an incredible coup for someone seemingly set to find the net with regularity for at least the next decade.
How good is Maximilian Beier?
Given how famously profligate Dyche’s side have been this season, it is no surprise that little has changed from a notion set back in February.
Former Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer claimed: ‘They’re so poor in forward positions. Just look at their centre forwards there, Maupay and Calvert-Lewin in particular.
‘It’s a bit harsh on [Ellis] Simms, but the other two, pretty embarrassing stats those.’
Although the former Sheffield United marksman has enjoyed a mini resurgence of late, having scored three in his last five across all competitions, he is still one of many contributing to arguably even more profligacy this term, with Everton having scored just nine goals from an expected goals of 17.66.
Were Beier to come in, that would be a figure severely evened out, given how the German youngster already has six goals in just eight Bundesliga appearances, from an expected goals tally of just 3.30.
Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo was an unsurprising fan of his, suggesting: ‘He can manage that thanks to his dynamism and technique. You either have those genes or you don’t, and Maxi has those genes to score goals.’
Whilst it remains to be seen whether Beto has that goalscoring DNA, and Calvert-Lewin is yet to prove he is once again a reliable asset, perhaps Dyche could place his faith in a blistering youngster ready to solve a longstanding and embarrassing goalscoring issue.
