Should Everton bring Oumar Niasse in from the cold?
The Senegalese striker bagged his seventh of the season against SouthamptonIf Ronald Koeman’s straight-talking style is as genuine as it has been throughout his managerial career, then Oumar Niasse will not be running out for Everton’s first-team any time soon.
The Senegalese forward notched his seventh goal of the season for the club’s Under-23s side against Southampton on Monday night with a well-placed finish.
That’s one goal more than the senior side managed at St Mary’s on Sunday.
It’s also the same number of shots on target managed by Koeman’s side in their last two away trips – none at Chelsea, one against the Saints.
Granted, Niasse is operating at a much lesser level. Harry Lewis, the goalkeeper he fired past, is no Fraser Forster; Alfie Jones, the Saints’ U23s captain, is not comparable to Virgil van Dijk.
But no matter the opposition, the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker has rediscovered his goalscoring touch – something that has deserted the senior side, scoring just six goals in the last eight games.
Enner Valencia
On-loan Enner Valencia has been turned to twice now off the bench, first when hosting Swansea and now on the South Coast, but there is little else in terms of support for Romelu Lukaku.
Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu can both operate centrally, but have failed to impress in recent outings, their introductions as substitutes no more than anodyne.
In bygone eras, performing for the reserves – which is what the Under-23s essentially is for Niasse – would provide an opportunity into the first team.
Consider these words, however.
Back in August, with Koeman still finding his way around Finch Farm: “We made a fast decision about Niasse and others who will find it difficult to be part of the team.
“If Niasse likes to play football he needs to leave Everton.”
Then, after scoring for the Under-23s for Arsenal in September, it was made clear Niasse was operating in the most undesirable of shop windows: “I don’t think that changes anything but he’s still a contracted player of Everton.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
“Of course I mentioned before the season started that he’s a player who will not be in my plans but he’s still under contract and he needs game time for if there is interest from other clubs.
“Normally we have enough strikers and different strikers to what he is. I prefer these people and not Niasse in the team.”
Even a 21-minute hat trick against Reading in October couldn’t stir the Dutchman, who not only cut down suggestions of a Niasse return, but mercilessly scythed them: “I hope he scores a hat-trick every week in the Under-23s.
“I never say never in football but the decision I took is not to change and it’s between us.”
Never say never unless it involves Niasse, it seems.
Koeman is best-placed to judge. He arrived at Goodison and immediately saw no future for Niasse on Merseyside. The £13.5million was not spent by him, and the player is not his problem.
Niasse in action with Michal Travnik of FK Jablonec during a pre-season friendlyin July
He would have been made aware, too, of just how little of an impact Niasse made in his first half-season at the club, making five appearances in total for a combined 142 minutes, each one as unremarkable as the last.
That shouldn’t be forgotten. There was raw ability there somewhere, but he was held up as the epitome of Everton’s struggles in the final days of Roberto Martinez.
But if absence makes the heart grow fonder, then a run of one win in eight league games makes it ravenous for change.
Consider these words: “The guy would run his legs off if Koeman gave him a chance in the first team. From what he saw under Martinez he may not offer much quality but a bit of effort from a player would be a start.”
Or perhaps these ones: “It’s time to play him. He’s worth a go and it’s not like he’s going to be any worse than what’s already on the pitch.”
And how about these ones? “I think he deserves another chance, (he) can’t be worse tan what we’ve seen the past few weeks.”
Oumar Niasse signs autographs for fans
A small sample of Evertonians on Facebook is no real gauge. It certainly is not the Gwladys Street, and there are still voices dissenting to the notion of Niasse gracing the Goodison turf.
But it shows it is something some supporters are willing to consider, if not the manager.
A lot would have to happen for their desires to become reality. Koeman has made his stance clear and, in truth, a poor run of form will not – and should not – change that.
Niasse might be performing for the Under-23s, but the first team squad does represent a step up – one he didn’t seem capable of making last season.
If Koeman is to turn to those making an impact under David Unsworth, then it is the younger players who need to be called upon long before Niasse.
Indeed, Valencia has been given less than an hour off the bench in his five appearances so far and has some semblance of tangible Premier League pedigree from his time at West Ham; giving him more of a chance would remain a higher priority.
Oumar Niasse
Consider this final quote.
“It’s sad, it’s really sad and, to be honest, I think I don’t deserve this but what I can do is just keep my head and fight to change things.
“I’m not going to make a drama over this. I just deal with it. I know it’s just one period.”
That was Niasse speaking to the Guardian in October. He is aware Koeman’s word is final. His effort and commitment should be commended, if nothing else – but that won’t help the Dutchman arrest this current slump.
Koeman and Niasse both know it, it seems, but some disappointed Blues wanting to see something fresh can’t be blamed for thinking otherwise.
Liv Echo
