Kevin Phillips has offered his thoughts on Everton's interest in Newcastle dud Sean Longstaff.
What's the talk?
Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has questioned why Everton are, reportedly, looking to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle. The retired forward does not believe that the Toffees need him in their squad this season.
“Do I think Everton need him? Possibly not.
“Longstaff hasn’t played loads of Premier League games but he does have that experience.
“From Newcastle’s point of view, he doesn’t play that often and it could be great business to move him on. It would free up a wage for Bruce to get someone with a bit more experience.
“I’m surprised Benitez is in for him but he obviously likes him and Longstaff played well under him. It’s a surprising one, I’m not sure Everton need him.”
No better than Davies
Marcel Brands must avoid a howler with Longstaff this month. Put simply, Everton should not be looking at a deal for the Newcastle outcast at all. He is not an upgrade on their starting XI and he is not an improvement on the back-up options Rafa Benitez already has.
Last season, Tom Davies made 25 appearances in the Premier League - 17 starts - as a rotation player for Carlo Ancelotti. He averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.46 whilst making 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game in midfield.
Longstaff, meanwhile, played 23 matches for Newcastle in the league. The Toon academy product averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.36, making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game.
Given they both played a similar role for their respective clubs in the same position in the Premier League, it seems fair to directly compare them. Davies, on paper, appears to be the better option out of the pair and that means that Longstaff would not come in and make Benitez's squad better.
Last year, the midfielder said that criticism over his performances baffled him, saying: "At times, it's probably been a bit surprising. It's something you have to take in your stride and enjoy.
"I hold myself to those high standards, so I've got no problem with everyone else doing that as well. I've still got people around me helping me, trying to get me to where I want to be.
"I'm still enjoying it, and it's just about staying at an even keel and I know that, ultimately, I'll get to where I want to be."
This suggests that the £18k-per-week dud is not willing to accept that his performances were below par, given that he found criticism surprising and his statistics for the Magpies were unimpressive. Therefore, given he does not appear to be an upgrade on Davies, Everton must avoid bringing him in this summer.
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