New signing Hayden Hackney is "exactly the type of signing" Everton need, but manager David Moyes must now make a new striker his "number one priority," according to former Blues striker Louis Saha.
Hackney signing hailed as shrewd move
Everton announced the signing of Championship Player of the Season Hackney from Middlesbrough on July 2 for an undisclosed fee, understood by the ECHO to be an initial £16.5 million. The 24-year-old midfielder, who joined his new teammates for the first day of pre-season training at Finch Farm on July 10, had one year left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium. He made 154 appearances and scored six goals for Middlesbrough.
Saha, who played for Everton under Moyes between 2008 and 2012, scoring 35 goals in 115 games, told the ECHO: "Hayden Hackney is a very shrewd signing for Everton. I think it went under the radar a little bit, and I think that could benefit Hayden as he adapts to Everton. He's a fantastic young player with plenty of talent that I'm sure will shine through this season. He's exactly the type of signing they need, a dynamic young midfielder. He's great on the ball, and he'll put his body on the line to defend for his team when necessary. He'll much improve Everton's squad heading into next season."
Striker identified as top priority
Despite the positive addition of Hackney, Saha believes Everton lack variety in attack. The Blues currently have strikers Beto and Thierno Barry, but Saha argues they are too similar. He said: "I think Beto and Thierno Barry are both good players who improved a lot last year, but I think they are two very similar style players. I was a bit surprised when Everton signed Barry for that exact reason. It doesn't make sense to have two very similar strikers because you get nothing different from the bench when you are trying to change a game."
Saha emphasised the need for a different type of forward: "That's why I believe they need to invest in a striker this summer as a number one priority. They need someone with experience to score goals consistently who offers something different to Beto and Barry. I think David Moyes must go out and get a new striker who can propel the club forward with goals and capitalise on all the creative attacking midfielders Everton have at their disposal."
