With the summer transfer window now quickly approaching, Everton will be keen to splash the cash.
They’ve already identified a right winger as a priority but the Toffees need to consider looking at their right-back spot as well.
On the chalkboard
Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed a productive first full season with the Toffees but defensively, there are still plenty of issues to iron out.
Mason Holgate endured a shocker against Aston Villa by losing possession to Ollie Watkins who scored but he was then hauled off after just 45 minutes against Sheffield United on Sunday.
A potential stand-in at right-back, things wouldn’t bode well if Seamus Coleman suddenly picked up an injury.
Jonjoe Kenny has had a torrid loan spell at Celtic so doesn’t seem a viable option which leaves them with the aforementioned Coleman as their only competent option.
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Even then, he’s hardly set the world alight this term. Aged 32, he is approaching the end of his best days and that was evident against Villa last Thursday.
With his contract expiring in the summer of 2022, Ancelotti should be searching for replacements.
Odriozola on the way?
One player Everton have been linked with in the last few weeks is Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Odriozola, someone who could move to England on a two-year loan deal.
The 25-year-old was signed from Real Sociedad for €30m (£26m) but rather unsurprisingly, hasn’t been afforded too many opportunities at the Bernabeu.
The full-back has only started eight times this season in La Liga but despite his lack of minutes, he’d still be an upgrade on Coleman.
Speaking about Odriozola in 2018, Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay said: "I've known Alvaro since he was a boy as he was friends with my son. I've seen him grow up. He is a great person, very responsible.”
Aperibbay added: “He's a player that will always give his best. He is very fast, I think among the fastest players in La Liga. He is very talented and has a lot of projection."
Coleman has clearly lost a yard of pace in the last few years so adding someone like Odriozola to the Everton ranks would be incredibly beneficial.
The Spaniard is a rampant force down the right-hand side and possesses plenty of creativity. During his final campaign with Real Sociedad in 2017/18, he produced 155 crosses, putting him in the top five players for that statistic in La Liga.
The Everton skipper has always been a similar player for the Toffees, producing an impressive 28 assists during his time in Merseyside. That said, Odriozola has actually provided more key passes per match (1.2) throughout their respective careers.
Coleman, by comparison, has managed just 0.8. Of course, the Irishman has a larger sample size but it bodes well that Ancelotti could be gaining such a like-minded replacement.
The 25-year-old would be a solid signing from Marcel Brands and co.