Everton fans have been furiously googling the name ‘Bryan Oviedo’ this week after boss David Moyes signed the Costa Rican winger on transfer deadline day; they should be pleased with what they read.
Oviedo, who can play both left-back or further up the wing, attracted Moyes’ interest at the start of the summer yet was unavailable for transfer until FC Copenhagen knew if they would reach the Champions League this season.
After the Danish club failed to qualify last Wednesday, Oviedo’s future was immediately in doubt and two days later he was in London penning a Toffees contract.
The deal, which could eventually be worth a reported £5m, could seriously propel Everton into the European places this season if Oviedo maintains his current form. He has been impervious at FC Copenhagen this season, creating goals from the wing with great link-up play between his left-back Pierre Bengtsson.
Copenhagen are usually steady in their build-up and look for their full-backs to overlap wingers and hit the byline. This Oviedo/Bengtsson partnership could easily be replicated at Goodison Park with Leighton Baines, who has the speed and knowhow to keep up with the Costa Rican international.
Moyes usually gets results from his signings and Oviedo will have competition on the left wing with Steven Pienaar already present in the side. He also has a lot of work to do if he is to make it as a Premier League full-back, as Copenhagen found out very early in his stint in Denmark.
His quality is in going forward, not defending. Although the 22-year-old can do the donkey work when required, he is never likely to win a cross-field aerial challenge against Nani or Antonio Valencia.
Instead, that responsibility will be left to Baines and Oviedo should be given a free role going forward. Expect Everton to score even more headers this season, with the Costa Rican providing a hat-full of chances.
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