Transfer Story:
It is always difficult to replace a club legend, but Everton have to inevitably prepare themselves for it. Leighton Baines has been a loyal player and has made quite a name for himself in Goodison Park. However, the veteran will enter the wrong side of the 30s and his injury problems have troubled Baines from playing frequently for the Toffees.
The Everton board has not shied away from investing heavily into the squad and now are looking adamant to sign a replacement for Baines. Bristol City’s Joe Bryan has been regularly linked to a move to Merseyside in the past few months and now even the Bristol Post seems to believe that.
Joe Bryan: A left back for the future
Bristol City had a fairytale run in the Carabao Cup this season, and Joe Bryan was right at the centre of everything good that took place for them in the campaign. Joe is the quintessential modern fullback, with an amazing physique and fitness to run up and down the flank regularly.
His determination to get the work done on both ends of the pitch is praiseworthy as his work-ethic is appreciable too. Bryan is quite offensive at times, and that helps the team to dominate the wings. He is a good crosser of the ball and can regularly send in testing deliveries into the box.
He likes to cut in from the wings to shift the play to the centre at times and is quite adept at making building the play from the back. Bryan is confident with the ball and never looks to be deterred by a quick winger from the opposite end.
He is tactically disciplined and aware to track back whenever needed and hence his productivity on both ends of the pitch has made him quite successful. Bristol City sit in the seventh position in the Championship table and look far off from getting promoted this season.
However, Bryan has played 35 games in the Championship and has already scored three goals whilst having created 26 goal-scoring chances. He has won an impressive 58% of his defensive duels and has been particularly strong aerially, in which he has won 71% of his aerial duels.
Bryan scored a decisive goal against Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup that effectively sent the Red Devils out of the Cup.
Should Everton make the move?
Everton certainly have the financial muscle to compete with clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle United, who have been linked with the player in the same report. Bryan is 24-years-old and hence has plenty of time to adapt, adjust and then propel himself into the Premier League. For that to happen, Everton need to take this transfer seriously.