Everton went into the January transfer window with gaps to fill in their squad, so Roberto Martinez’s decision to put the bulk of their budget towards a non-playing striker doesn’t look too smart on reflection.
Martinez sanctioned a €17m move for Oumar Niasse, but the Senegal striker had managed just 16 Premier League minutes before being named in the starting line-up to face Bournemouth.
This was surprising, considering the manager had suggested Niasse might not be ready for a return to action before the 2016/17 campaign.
Apr 19: Martinez: "It would be a bonus" if Niasse plays this season
Apr 23: Niasse is left out of the semi-final squad
Apr 30: Niasse starts— Chris Smith (@cdsmith789) April 30, 2016
But it turns out Martinez may have been right in this regard, given the response to the former Lokomotiv Moscow man’s performance.
Still early days but Oumar Niasse has touched the ball only once – briefly – and is looking a little lost. Blues effectively got 10-men
— David Prentice (@prenno) April 30, 2016
Feel sorry for Niasse here. He's trying but not much is coming off for him. Not surprisingly, looks badly short of match fitness.
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) April 30, 2016
Put Dowell on. Niasse doesnt deserve another minute on the pitch
— FinKitch (@FinKitch) April 30, 2016
Whoever at Everton decided Oumar Niasse was worth £13.5M should be under investigation for cooking the books. An Ali Dia performance today
— Richard Buxton (@RichardBuxton_) April 30, 2016
Niasse is another example of why you shouldn't but from the Russian league. Bily and Jo were warnings that should've been observed. #EFCvBOU
— Chris D (@theblueeyedkid) April 30, 2016
Scary to think Kone and Niasse were Roberto's plan B if Lukaku received a long term injury
— MLW (@MLWEFC) April 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/calumwoodss/status/726421799232241664
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