The upcoming months are critical for Everton, as the club must retain several key players to build on last season’s 15th-place finish in the Premier League. Sean Dyche’s team finished strong, winning five of their last eight matches, ensuring their continuous presence in the Premier League.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana were vital to Dyche’s squad last season, drawing interest from Manchester United and Arsenal due to their impressive performances.
While selling these players could generate significant profits, it would also mean losing two stars capable of pushing the club toward a comfortable mid-table finish in the 2024/25 season. If Branthwaite remains at Goodison Park, he could form a solid partnership with a new player linked to a move to Merseyside this summer.
### Everton Bids for Former Premier League Talent
According to Turkish journalist Ali Naci Kucuk (via Futbol Arena), Everton has made a £16m offer for Galatasaray centre-back Davinson Sanchez as Dyche aims to strengthen his defense.
The Colombian international spent six years at Tottenham Hotspur, making over 200 appearances before moving to Turkey last summer. While some Everton fans might remember Sanchez for his mistakes in the Premier League, his time in the Turkish Süper Lig has revitalized his career, showing flashes of the player Spurs paid £42m for in 2017.
The former Ajax star had an excellent season with Galatasaray, making him a potentially shrewd acquisition. His experience in England’s top flight makes him an ideal partner for the young English defender Branthwaite.
### Why Sanchez Would Be the Perfect Partner for Branthwaite
Despite Everton having the best defensive record outside the top four in the Premier League last season, Dyche is seeking reinforcements, and Sanchez is a player he clearly admires.
Sanchez’s Premier League experience would benefit Branthwaite, who, despite a stellar 2023/24 season, is still adjusting to the demands of England’s top flight. Comparing the two defenders from last season, Sanchez produced better stats in key areas for Dyche’s system.
The “dominant” defender, as described by former boss José Mourinho, excelled in possession, with his ball-playing ability among the best in the Champions League and Europa League last season. Sanchez ranked in the top 10% of central defenders in European competition for progressive carries, helping his team transition from a low-block system.
Sanchez also made more blocks than Branthwaite, with the Englishman’s tally of 1.4 falling short of the former Spurs talent, who has thrived since moving to Turkey.
While Everton fans may not want to see the Branthwaite and James Tarkowski partnership broken, Sanchez’s arrival could improve Dyche’s side.
Sanchez has proven his abilities over the last year, looking back to his best after a fresh start, and he could be ready to slot into Dyche’s defense and help return Everton to their former glories.
