Everton should require the inclusion of Chelsea starlet Bertrand Traore as a part of a deal for striker Romelu Lukaku
The latest edition of Chelsea’s transfer offer to Everton for Romelu Lukaku has the Blues paying the Toffees 60 million pounds and also sending Loic Remy to Goodison Park. Everton should require Chelsea to part with starlet Bertrand Traore instead.
In truth, Chelsea’s latest offer isn’t all that bad. Remy could walk right into a starting position at Everton who would be left almost entirely bereft of striking options after a Lukaku departure. That doesn’t mean he’s the best Everton can do though.
If Everton are going to let go of a talent like Lukaku, they have to be sure they can acquire multiple players with top-end potential with the proceeds. Ronald Koeman might struggle to purchase starlets of Traore’s quality even armed with the financial might of a Lukaku sale. That’s why he’d be smart to require one such prospect to be sent to Everton in the deal.
Bertrand Traore isn’t a finished product, and if we’re honest, isn’t likely to ever become quite the forward that Lukaku already is. The Belgian front man has already proven he can score goals by the truckload in the Premier League. In sharp contrast, Traore only managed to contribute two goals to Chelsea in his 10 league appearances last season.
That isn’t the point though. The idea is that Everton must start to build their future around acquiring high level young players. They can’t afford to let Lukaku leave and use the proceeds from his sale to simply acquire moderately above average Premier League regulars. That’s a philosophy certain to lead the Toffees right into mediocrity.
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Instead, they must focus their resources on acquiring potentially world-class talents. Traore has that sort of ability. He’s flashed immense offensive ability in his brief time at Chelsea and it’s clear that he’s ready for a larger Premier League role. In the absence of Lukaku, Everton would be a great place for Traore to develop his skills.
Chelsea, of course, won’t want to discuss the inclusion of Traore in the transaction. Everton have all of the leverage over Antonio Conte’s club in this instance though. They have the prize that Chelsea are going to need when they finally part ways with Diego Costa. They simply can’t afford to turn down a deal.
That’s why Everton can afford to shoot for a potential star to be included in the deal as opposed to an average centre forward. If Chelsea really want Romelu Lukaku, Everton must make them include Bertrand Traore in the deal.