Alexander Sorloth: Everton target's stats vs Morocco will raise eyebrows at Hill Dickinson
Alexander Sorloth is reportedly a target for Everton in the transfer window this summer.
The Atletico Madrid striker scored 20 goals across all competitions last season and is expected to explore a new opportunity.
Sorloth has previous in the Premier League, joining Crystal Palace from Midtjylland in 2018 but only ever making 20 appearances for them.
The 30-year-old has since progressed significantly and will be offered a route back by Everton, although his statistical performance on Sunday will raise questions at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees have both Beto and Thierno Barry, but neither forward managed to secure their place up front last season.
Alexander Sorloth's unimpressive stats vs Morocco
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider last month that David Moyes wants a new striker at Everton.
It's not hard to see why. Beto and Barry scored 18 goals between them last season, but their form came in bursts.
Neither striker managed to demonstrate consistency across the campaign, ultimately failing to fire Everton to European football.
Barry, 23, was in his first Premier League season and perhaps has more of an excuse than the experienced Beto, who could be set to leave this summer.
The Guinea-Bissau international has just one year remaining on his contract at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with potential suitors in January.
His exit this summer could pave the way for Sorloth's arrival, although his display on Sunday may have prompted doubts for Moyes.
The 30-year-old was deployed on the wing as Norway drew 1-1 with Morocco, with Brahim Diaz and Martin Odegaard scoring.
Sorloth failed to get a shot on target throughout the clash, completed none of his three attempted dribbles, lost the ball three times, fouled four times and won just two of 13 contested duels.
What Sorloth said about his Premier League stint
When Sorloth arrived at Crystal Palace in 2018, he was just 22 and had been thriving in the Danish Superliga.
The jump to Premier League football was sudden and sharp, with him later explaining that his momentum was knocked.
"I had a wrongly cancelled goal against Chelsea in one of the first matches. If I had scored, then I might have cemented my position in the team. The following week I was going to start against Huddersfield, but unfortunately, I suffered an injury,” Sorloth told TV2 in 2020.
“I tried to think positively, but didn’t get a minute for the rest of the season, even though I was in the squad. It went beyond my self-confidence when I couldn’t play anymore after the first four games, where I felt I had been decent.
"You are judged by fans and journalists for the few minutes you get at the end of a match, which I think is terribly unfair. If you are a player who just gets brought on, it goes beyond confidence and you feel you are not good enough to start. It causes stress, especially as a striker.”
Everton could well be set to hand Sorloth another chance in England, although Moyes will now be aware that he likely should not play on the wing.