According to BBC Sport and well… pretty much everybody, Everton are hopeful of wrapping up a deal for Burnley defender Michael Keane at some point today. But why are the Toffees prepared to shell out £25million for the England international and what will he add to Ronald Koeman’s backline? Let’s take a look…
No doubt, the 24-year-old was amongst the best English players in the Premier League last season, playing a pivotal role in Burnley staving off relegation through their organised and functional style of play as the real star of their defence – helping them finish up with a 16th-place finish and the second-best goals conceded record in the bottom half.
But the numbers highlight how crucial Keane actually was in finding success in that pragmatic, old-fashioned defensive style, winning a staggering 136 aerial duels (that’s nearly four per match) and completing 254 clearances – 21% of all clearances made by Sean Dyche’s side in the top flight last season.
Everton fans may find Keane’s tackle return and passing accuracy a little more concerning, but the idea that centre-backs should be making tackles is a bit of a fallacy. PFA Team of the Year member David Luiz averaged just 1.3 per match last season and if anything, not making an abundance of challenges – which are always a risk when you’re the last line of defence – is a sign of a centre-back being in the right place at the right time.
Likewise, Keane’s passing accuracy inevitably corresponds to his high volume of clearances, which in turn corresponds to Burnley’s style of play. But on England duty particularly, the 24-year-old has shown evidence of his quality on the ball and of course, at Everton he’ll be surrounded by players who are far more comfortable with it.
For £25million, Keane’s got all the makings of a shrewd, long-term signing for the Toffees. And unlike the ball-playing centre-backs the Premier League has seemingly become obsessed with in recent seasons, Keane is a master of the nuts and bolts of the defensive trade.
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