Bernard has signed for Everton after being released from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Brazilian attacking midfielder is a massive coup for the club.
Bernard Signs for Everton
Experience
Since 2012, Bernard has made 14 appearances for his nation. He was utilised most under Scolari. He even participated in the 2014 Rio World Cup. However, he was also part of that infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany. Since then he has struggled to get back into the team. Nevertheless, he is a player with international experience with proven quality. After all, Brazil is a nation full of fantastic attacking players with flair. Bernard is another example of that pedigree.
Furthermore, Bernard has some Champions League experience too. He has made 25 appearances scoring three goals and three assists. Add to that his appearances in the Europa League too, with 15 further appearances and another two goals and four assists. This is where Everton need to aspire to. They must get back into European football and when they do, they will have a well versed European player.
Playing Style
Bernard is a tenacious yet diminutive attacking midfielder. He is capable of playing fluidly across the attacking line, preferring the left position. His size may be unimpressive but his low centre of gravity allows him to showcase some fantastic dribbling. This will be an exciting signing for Everton fans. But crucially, he is not just a showboating player. He is capable of creating chances and taking chances. In the Premier Liga with Shakhtar he managed to score fourteen goals and notch twenty-four assists in 95 appearances. Of course, this return may be slightly lower in the more competitive English Premier League.
Adaptation
There is always the risk of a player unable to adapt to new circumstances. New signing and fellow compatriot Richarlison will be a big help for the incoming Bernard. But, due to the fact that Bernard has made the leap from Brazil to Ukraine, he should be able to take to the Premier League quite swiftly. This seems to even add even more credit to this free transfer. Here is a player that will most likely be able to fit straight into the first team and immediately start to make an impact. There should be some caution and some allowance for his initial settling in period, though.
Best Free Agent Ever?
It’s far too early to make any major conclusions on the player and his assumed impact. However, Everton have had a knack for signing free agents in the past. This includes Tom Cleverly, Jermaine Beckford and Steven Naismith. Some of these players have excelled, whereas others have failed to impress. Bernard could well trump all of these previous examples in a truly magnificent coup by the club. If given the right conditions to settle down in England, he should help Everton to reach glorious new heights.
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