Ben Brereton Diaz backed to make step up at Everton…

Ben Brereton Diaz backed to make step up at Everton after 'unlocking potential'

Premier League sides are facing a race against time to complete any last-minute transfer deals, with the window set to close on September 1.

Everton are one club who certainly fall under the category of expected to make more additions to their squad as Frank Lampard looks to reinvest the capital received for the sale of Richarlison. There is also the possibility Anthony Gordon could depart in the next week, a player the Blues would undoubtedly have to seek a like-for-like replacement for.

One name who has emerged as a possible target in recent weeks is Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton Diaz, who took the Championship by storm last season when scoring 22 times in 37 league appearances.

The 23-year-old is understood to be in high demand as a result of his performances and was recently the subject of a €10million (£8.4m) bid from Ligue 1 side, Nice. There are suggestions Everton are keen, with the Times today claiming the Blues "registered their official interest on Wednesday and are understood to be prepared to pay £12m" for the player. It is claimed Blackburn are holding out for an asking price of £15m.

Brereton Diaz would certainly offer Everton a new dimension in attack if a deal gets done, but should supporters be excited by his potential arrival? We spoke to Blackburn reporter for LancsLive, Elliott Jackson, to get an insight into what the striker could offer the Toffees and his journey to date within the EFL.

Do you believe Brereton Diaz could handle the jump in quality from the Championship to Premier League?

"I think if a team played to his strengths then definite, he could. We have seen with Adam Armstrong at Southampton that the grass isn't always greener. That said, Brereton Diaz has lots of quality and if a team can utilise his qualities then he could make the grade at Premier League level."

He scored over 22 league goals last season - what makes him such a threat in the final third?

"He has grown so much in stature over the last 18 months. He is so confident in front of goal and he has an array of finishes in his locker. He's got great feet and can carry the ball from the left channel and drive at defences. Given his physicality that makes him very difficult to stop, when he's on song."

It seems it took him a bit of time to settle in at the club, what were the reasons behind his long adaptation process?

"When Rovers signed him, he was a very raw talent. It was a big fee that brought him from Nottingham Forest four years ago and he was only 18. Equally, the team had a lot of established forwards so opportunities weren't always forthcoming. It's taken time but it's clear his best position is off the left rather than a central striker."

Would you say Brereton Diaz operates more effectively with a partner in attack or as a lone striker?

"He is definitely not a central striker. Any team buying him to play with his back to goal would be disappointed as it won't get the best out of him. He could play in a two as that would give him the license to drift into the wide areas and attack the goal. That's where he has been at his best."

What areas would you say he could still improve in?

"In possession, he can give the ball away cheaply, at times. Those errors get punished more often in the Premier League. He will work very hard for the team and his goal-scoring record speaks for itself, though."

Do you think the switch to representing Chile and all the noise that came with that directly translated to a player with more confidence on the pitch?

"Absolutely. I think that has been the main catalyst for his turnaround, to be honest. Since going away with Chile, his confidence has soared and that helped unlock the potential everyone knew he had."

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