Sit Rep
So, as Ashley Williams prepares for life on Merseyside, it’s a good chance to take a look at the current situation of Everton’s defence, and what led them to bring in the veteran centre-half.
Since Ronald Koeman’s arrival, the main area of interest in the squad has always been the defence, with only 2 fully-fledged first-team centre-backs at the Dutchman’s disposal, where one is getting to the twilight of his career, that leaves only one centre back who may remain in Everton’s first-team ranks for the foreseeable future. So it’s only right we should look at Ramiro Funes Mori first of all.
RFM
Ramiro Funes Mori joined Everton only last season from River Plate, and had a very successful first season for the Blues, notching up 4 goals in 28 appearances as well as solidifying a shaky defence as well as he could, with error after calamitous error from both John Stones and Tim Howard. He also cemented his place in the Argentine National Team during the campaign, coming to a close with a second-place finish at the Copa América Centenario in the Summer. Often very underrated by most fans, and criticised for the same mistakes John Stones was praised for ‘trying to learn’. The only proper aerial threat we have from corners, Funes Mori was definitely one of Martinez’ masterclasses.
Jags
Everton’s pre-made Ashley Williams if you will, a mainstay in the squad coming into his tenth year, and shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Last season, however, his campaign was riddled with injuries which left the defence severely lacking any form of leadership or organisation, and this showed dramatically as Everton had the second worst home defensive record in Europe’s top flights, only in front of a team who conceded 9 to PSG in a single demolition, ESTAC Troyes of France. However, with one of the greatest defenders of all time coming in to sort the club out, the skipper can hope for calmer tides ahead.
Mason Holgate.
Mason Holgate, the second most popular defender Everton signed from Barnsley. He has had a progressive start to his Everton career, after a slow first year in David Unsworth’s U21 side, where he enjoyed tremendous success. He has been involved everywhere in Ronald Koeman’s first pre-season as Everton boss and has been probably the highlight of a lacklustre few games. He looks to be calm, assured and assertive, drawing a few similarities to a certain Manchester City player. He will be in and around the first team for the upcoming season, but don’t expect him to start every week.
Everton’s defensive situation is only aided by the promising Matty Pennington, who looks on the road to becoming a solid defender, as long as he stays clear of those nasty injuries which have seemed to plague his early footballing career. Is Ashley Williams needed at Everton?
Absolutely.
By the Numbers
Ashley Williams has been the stalwart of Swansea for the last 8 years. He has experienced the lows of League 1 mediocrity to lifting the League Cup in 2013. Here are some of the stats and records he’s accumulated over the years.
£400,000 – He was Swansea’s record transfer at the time in 2008, after a successful Loan spell at the club, signing for £400,000 from Stockport County, where he previously spent 5 years in the lower echelons of English professional football.
2008 – On the 16th September 2008, Williams netted his first Swansea goal in a 1-1 draw with Derby County and he would go on to score 14 goals for the Swans, with his first Premier League goal coming against Chelsea in Swansea’s second season in the Premier League.
97% – Ashley Williams has played over 97% of ALL minutes played by Swansea since their promotion from League 1 in 2008. Over 27,000 minutes for the Swans. This incredible injury-free record led him to his nickname, Mr Indestructible.
169 – The most impressive stat of all. Williams played 169 consecutive matches for Swansea, in which he only missed 8 games for his country, where only 2 were from injury. Missing 2 matches in 8 years by injury is no small feat.
A Swansea Legend?
Ashley Williams was selected in the Football League’s ‘Team of the Decade’ alongside long-standing teammate Ángel Rangel who, between them, have encompassed 625 games for Swansea. Gaining the permanent captaincy after Garry Monk had stepped down (And subsequently became his boss, again) in 2013, he has been a fan-favourite, being ever-present for 8 years and scarcely faltering. He will be sorely missed at Swansea who are currently sailing through stormy seas as the new owners of the club look to be holding a fire sale of most senior players.
The hero Everton need?
As previously mentioned, Everton are in dire need of a leader at the back along with Phil Jagielka, and beyond that, we are in dire need of a defender as there will be only 2 first team defenders rolling out in training. Coupled with the no-nonsense Phil Jagielka and the excitable flavour of Ramiro Funes Mori, Ashley Williams could complete a trio of top class Premier League defenders for Everton.
Oh, and i’ve heard the manager wasn’t a bad one in his day either.
