Everton will be aiming to bring in a couple of new signings to bolster their squad during the January transfer window, with Frank Lampard surely looking to add another attacker or two.
The club have recently been recently linked with Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga and Fabrizio Romano tweeted on December 31st regarding the player: “Anthony Elanga discussed between Lampard and the board as option for January window.”
With that in mind, he could well be the club’s first signing this month.
By luring him to Goodison Park, Lampard could sign his very own version of Jarrod Bowen, with the two similar in playing styles according to FBref’s player comparison model.
The West Ham United winger has been somewhat of a revelation since arriving in the Premier League from Championship side Hull in 2020, scoring 23 goals and registering 22 assists. Those numbers are something Lampard is dying out for.
Bowen is the seventh-most similar to Elanga according to FBref and the two have registered similar statistics when it comes to a number of metrics.
Indeed, they have a similar influence in the final third with regards to shots per 90 (2.13 to 1.68), shot-creating actions per match (3.60 to 3.14), and goal-creating actions per game (both 0.24).
Furthermore, they are both incredibly effective ball carriers with the United prodigy amassing 2.5 dribbles a game in European football this term compared to Bowen’s 1.4 a match on the continental stage in 2021/22.
Both players clearly excel in creating chances every match and this could only lead to Everton scoring a great deal more. The Toffees have netted just 13 times in the league this term and they could be dragged into a relegation battle once again if this isn’t improved during the second half of the season.
What should captivate Everton supporters further is that the 20-year-old has already been praised by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Following his first call-up to the Sweden squad earlier this year, the mercurial forward praised the United winger, saying: “A great talent, we are proud and happy that he comes from Sweden. That he can represent Sweden now makes it even bigger.
“He [Elanga] has all the future ahead of him, and if he continues just as he has done, it looks positive. It’s just fighting, never being content, striving for more. How much he can develop depends on him.”
Praise from someone like Ibrahimovic doesn’t come often, and Lampard could certainly utilise the youngster’s talents in a stagnating Everton attack.
Bowen made an immediate impact after being thrust into regular first-team action upon his move to West Ham and with Elanga’s talent, there is no doubt he can’t repeat the trick and shine on Merseyside.