Whelan makes bold Maitland-Niles claim after Everton bid update from Ornstein
Noel Whelan has questioned whether Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles is capable of playing as a right-back for Everton this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds and Middlesbrough striker fears the 24-year-old does not have the defensive ability to play the wing-back role long-term.
Maitland-Niles made his desire to leave the Emirates clear in a post on his Instagram page earlier today (30th August).
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein (30th August), Everton are in talks over signing the versatile midfielder on loan with an option to buy.
It is said that the right-back has U-turned on wanting to be a centre-midfielder and stated at the start of this season that he would like to play solely as a full-back.
Rafael Benitez is in the market for a right-back to provide cover and competition for Seamus Coleman, who has struggled with injury problems in recent years.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his assessment of the latest, Whelan said: “I think he is surplus to requirements at Arsenal.
“I’m not too sure whether he’d be able to play that wing-back role on a long-term basis. It is a specialised position where you have to be able to cover all bases and I have question marks over the defensive side of his game.
“He is brilliant going forward and linking up the play but I think the defensive side of his game might let him down. I think he would benefit from playing further up the field.”
In other news, McAvennie claims he knew Patterson would cause problems for Rangers this summer and expects he’ll ask to leave.