In the summer of 2017, the Liverpool Echo reported that Everton wanted to sign then-Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt. Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh – the Toffees’ then-manager and director of football, respectively – apparently explored the option of signing Hoedt extensively.
However, rather than arriving at Goodison Park, Hoedt joined Southampton later that summer instead.
Now, though, the time may have come for Everton to resume their pursuit of the 24-year-old.
What’s the word?
Much has changed for the Merseyside club since the summer of 2017. Koeman and Walsh are gone, and Marco Silva now has the hot-seat at Goodison Park.
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On the south coast, Hoedt hasn’t managed to have the impact at St Mary’s Stadium that he’d have hoped for either. In fact, the six-cap Netherlands international now finds himself an outcast, and is yet to feature in the league under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Despite his struggles with the Saints, Hoedt remains a talented left-sided player, and a change of scene could see him get back to his best.
If they could land him on an affordable deal, the Toffees would be wise to gamble on the 6’2” centre-back.
The defensive solution
Silva’s side currently have their own struggles at the back, with the Portuguese coach yet to hit upon his best selection and formation. With Phil Jagielka ageing, and Kurt Zouma only at the club on loan, his defensive headache is set to get worse.
Bringing in Hoedt would give the Toffees’ some much-needed defensive depth, and the defender’s age suggests that the best from him is yet to come.
Silva will back himself to be able to get the best out of Hoedt, and if he can then Everton’s problems at the back could take a big step closer to being solved.
