Transfer News:
Marcos Rojo is linked with a move to Everton, with Manchester United looking to offload him in order to bring in new defensive reinforcements. The Toffees are now a probable candidate to lure Rojo away from Old Trafford and a deal looks to be on the cards as of now.
Marcos Rojo: Playing Style; and how will he affect Everton?
Rojo was bought by United after his impressive performances in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Though the Argentine is a solid defender, his worrisome injury record means that he has never been reliable enough to emerge as a consistent player in the backline.
The 28-year-old is a robust central defender, as he is physically imposing and aerially dominant, despite not being the tallest around. His style of play revolves around winning the ball back through well-timed tackles, timely blocks and making crucial long passes to the forwards. He is a left-footed centre-back who can play as a left back but Rojo’s lack of pace is an issue which has been exploited on numerous occasions in the fast-paced Premier League.
He would be an upgrade on the current crop of defenders that Everton have but doubts still remain over his longevity and whether he can provide the required assurance and leadership from the back. Rojo’s distribution is good, as he can spread the play or make some good passes right through the centre. He likes to carry the ball ahead and does not lack confidence while doing so.
However, his injury record states that Rojo has been troubled by sixteen different injuries during his four-year spell at United. On the disciplinary front, Rojo has been shown 20 yellow cards in 68 Premier League appearances, something that indicates his tendency to resort to last-ditch fouls when he is unable to keep up with the pace of the game.
However, it could be argued that Rojo would be a valuable addition to Everton’s squad. The Toffees have commendable attacking strength but their defensive fragilities left them exposed quite a lot last season.
The Argentine made 41 appearances for United in the 2016/17 season and was fast developing into a crucial player and a possible leader under Jose.
However, he got injured at a crucial juncture in his career and was unable to break into the starting XI upon his comeback and was limited to only 12 appearances last season. Rojo is a strong lad who is experienced and is a character who can surely wake Everton’s defensive unit from their slumber and it is will interesting to see whether Marco Silva is ready to take this calculated risk or not.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored