Everton have no doubt endured a miserable recruitment record over the years, having routinely made often bizarre and costly decisions in the transfer market, while also missing out on potential ideal signings.
One such figure that eluded them in the past was that of Peter Crouch, with reports back in 2010 suggesting that the Englishman was a potential target for Toffees boss David Moyes, with midfielder Steven Pienaar set to head in the other direction to join Tottenham Hotspur.
While the striker’s previous Liverpool connections may well have been a contentious issue among supporters, the towering marksman would likely have offered a reliable goalscoring presence in attack, having netted 13 times and provided nine assists during the 2009/10 campaign for Spurs.
A player whom Moyes was seemingly fond of – with the Scotsman having reportedly been keen to sign the unique asset during his later stint as Sunderland boss in 2016 – it could well have been an ideal deal for all concerned.
As it proved, however, no such move came to fruition – despite Pienaar securing his switch to north London – with Crouch ultimately staying put with the Lilywhites for a further season.
Amid that missed chance, the Merseysiders instead bolstered their attacking ranks with the free transfer capture of Jermaine Beckford, with the former Leeds United man subsequently going on to last just a solitary season at Goodison Park, having scored ten goals in all competitions during the 2010/11 campaign.
As for Crouch, the 6 foot 7 colossus would ultimately go on to join Stoke City a year later, enjoying a respectable spell with the Potters as he scored 61 goals and provided 27 assists in 261 games in all competitions.
The now-retired journeyman – who also turned out for the likes of Southampton, Queen’s Park Rangers and Portsmouth in a lengthy career in English football – may have never been truly prolific, although remained a real handful for any opposition as a result of his towering frame and aerial ability.
That latter strength ensured that the 42-cap menace still holds the overall record for the most headed goals in Premier League history with a tally of 40, while his tally of 108 league goals ensures he ranks 28th in the competition’s all-time scorers list.
A player who accumulated 199 goals at club level throughout his career, the Macclesfield-born sensation would no doubt have offered a real attacking threat to Moyes had he been snapped up all those years ago.
Just imagine the carnage that could have ensued with the former England international lined up in attack alongside Marouane Fellaini…
from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/7HLPMwb
via IFTTT