Everton have completed the signing of Ghanian winger Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The 22-year-old makes his way to Goodison Park after prolonged negotiations between the two sides. For weeks, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has spoke of his desire to secure the services of a winger, even going so far as to name Atsu as his target. Chelsea, concerned that Atsu would be given sufficient playing time in the Premier League, resisted for some time before assurances from Martinez convinced them of the deal.
“I’m very happy to be joining Everton because it’s a great club, which likes to play football, and it’s a great pleasure to be here,” Atsu told evertontv. “Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream for me and I have achieved that dream.
“This is the biggest level for me to play at. I know that it’s a very competitive league and I believe with hard work we’re going to be successful this season.”
Atsu has been touted as the replacement for Gerard Deulofeu, the Barcelona loanee who starred at Goodison last season. Like the Spanish winger, Atsu is what Martinez calls a “gifted technical footballer” who possesses the right personality and character. “[Atsu] will excite fans because he brings something completely different and a different way of playing to what we’ve got in the squad. He’s a left-footed player who loves taking people on and he’s got a really good understanding of the game for such a young man.”
Although left-footed, Atsu prefers playing as an inverted winger on the right side where he can cut in and look to shoot or take on central defenders. With that current role occupied by Belgian speedster Kevin Mirallas, expect Atsu to impact matches as a late substitute or, potentially, from his secondary position on the left wing.
Having yet to make his Premier League debut, Atsu is a player that Martinez will carefully work in over time, much like he did Deulofeu last term. The Ghanian arrived at Chelsea from FC Porto last summer on a $4 million deal and was immediately loaned out to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, where he notched five goals and six assists in 26 Eredivisie matches.
Having already passed his medical and secured a work permit, Atsu will be available for Saturday’s Premier League opener at Leicester City (10:00am ET on NBCSN).
