Anwar El Ghazi seems to have to look for a new employer after this season, reports Football Insider† The Dutchman barely gets to play at Everton, the club that took him over from Aston Villa on a rental basis during the winter transfer window. The Toffees therefore seem not to use the purchase option in El Ghazi’s contract. His boss Aston Villa would also no longer appreciate the presence of the winger, which means that he seems forced to look for a new employer in the summer.
El Ghazi made the switch to Everton on January 13, after a difficult six months at Aston Villa. Where he was good for 11 goals in 31 official games at Aston Villa in the previous season, this season was different. The ex-Ajacied made twelve appearances, of which only five as a basic player. Aston Villa no longer saw a role for El Ghazi and wore him out on a rental basis with competitor Everton. His employment at Aston Villa came to a (temporary) end after three years. He made 119 appearances for the club, scoring 26 times and providing 16 assists.
The stay at Everton has so far proved unsuccessful for the attacker. El Ghazi came to just eleven minutes for Everton. This is partly due to the fact that Rafael Benítez, the manager who brought him in at the club, was sacked in January after continued disappointing results. New manager Frank Lampard barely calls on El Ghazi, preferring the likes of Richarlison, Demarai Gray, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Andros Townsend and youngster Anthony Gordon. Everton should also fear relegation, the team is only three points above the virtual danger zone with 25 points.
The chance that Everton will use the buy option in El Ghazi’s contract is minimal due to the lack of playing time. In this case, the attacker has no choice but to return to Aston Villa, where his presence is also not appreciated after this season. El Ghazi, two-time international of the Dutch national team, seems to have to look for a new employer in this situation.