Barry Horne believes Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear is a player Everton should be considering as the club look to strengthen their squad in January.
The 21-year-old has made an impressive start to life in the Championship after joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham in the summer, and scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Charlton. Lankshear has now scored 13 goals in 13 league appearances this season and Horne said that goalscoring record is evidence that he could make the step up to the Premier League.
Everton are understood to be assessing the market for an alternative to Thierno Barry, following a failed move to sign Folarin Balogun on deadline day. Horne believes Everton should be looking beyond the top flight for potential recruits, arguing that the club has previously found significant talent in the Championship and lower divisions.
“If somebody’s scoring double figures before Christmas in the Championship, when you think of the chances that we’ve created for Thierno Barry, I’d back him [Lankshear] to put them away,” Horne said to ToffeeWeb in the latest edition of our Once a Blue podcast.
“There is a difference in quality, but if somebody’s scoring double figures before Christmas in the Championship, I’d certainly be looking at him.
“I think there are good players playing in this country outside of the Premier League. I watch the Championship all the time,” Horne continued.
“We’ve got people who watch more football than me. We’ve got people earning fabulous money to make these decisions. I’d like to think they’re at least considering some players, like Tim Cahill.
“Cahill, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, all came from the Championship. Joleon Lescott as well when you talk about players being taken from a lower division and turning into superb players,”
With uncertainty over the level of investment available for January, Horne believes Everton should consider additions of all ages.
Barry Horne believes Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear is a player Everton should be considering as the club look to strengthen their squad in January.
The 21-year-old has made an impressive start to life in the Championship after joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham in the summer, and scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Charlton. Lankshear has now scored 13 goals in 13 league appearances this season and Horne said that goalscoring record is evidence that he could make the step up to the Premier League.
Everton are understood to be assessing the market for an alternative to Thierno Barry, following a failed move to sign Folarin Balogun on deadline day. Horne believes Everton should be looking beyond the top flight for potential recruits, arguing that the club has previously found significant talent in the Championship and lower divisions.
“If somebody’s scoring double figures before Christmas in the Championship, when you think of the chances that we’ve created for Thierno Barry, I’d back him [Lankshear] to put them away,” Horne said to ToffeeWeb in the latest edition of our Once a Blue podcast.
“There is a difference in quality, but if somebody’s scoring double figures before Christmas in the Championship, I’d certainly be looking at him.
“I think there are good players playing in this country outside of the Premier League. I watch the Championship all the time,” Horne continued.
“We’ve got people who watch more football than me. We’ve got people earning fabulous money to make these decisions. I’d like to think they’re at least considering some players, like Tim Cahill.
“Cahill, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, all came from the Championship. Joleon Lescott as well when you talk about players being taken from a lower division and turning into superb players,”
With uncertainty over the level of investment available for January, Horne believes Everton should consider additions of all ages.
Horne highlighted David Moyes’s ability to get the best out of experienced players, naming several who became key members of his Everton teams.
“David Moyes has also utilised senior players brilliantly. Sylvain Distin, Tim Howard, Phil Neville. Absolutely magnificent. Maybe there’s some mileage in that.”