Everton fans will hope Djibril Sidibe has put his injury problems behind him

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Everton are closing in on a deal to sign French international Djibril Sidibe from Monaco, according to reports. As reported by L’Equipe, the French World Cup winner is set to join the club pending a medical. He will arrive on loan from AS Monaco, with a potential £12.5 million permanent deal in the offing next summer. 

Everton fans are right to be excited about such a move, considering Sidibe’s reputation and performances in the past for both Monaco and France. 

But there will also be some concern. For instance, how are Everton managing to secure a deal for such a player?

As reported by L’Equipe, and reported by GFFN, West Ham and Crystal Palace were both reticent about a move for Sidibe this summer because of a problem with the player’s knee. 

Last April, it seemed Sidibe’s World Cup dream was dead. The Frenchman suffered a meniscus injury in a 7-1 defeat to PSG which looked like ruling him out of Russia. 

However, as reported by ESPN, Sidibe went against Monaco’s wishes and rejected knee surgery in order to play at the competition last summer. It was a big sacrifice to make but considering he now has a World Cup winner’s medal, one that paid off.

He went on to have a disappointing 2018-19 season, with niggling injury trouble and Monaco battling relegation. So Everton fans should certainly be cautious regarding overhyping the arrival. 

However, his three Ligue 1 assists from last season came in the final five games and Sidibe did not miss a league game through injury after the turn of the year. 

If his injury troubles are behind him, and Everton are getting the Sidibe that helped Monaco romp to the Champions League semi-finals in 2016-17, then this could be the deal of the summer. 

If not, then Everton might be signing their next Nuno Valente.