Everton FC: Is Victor Anichebe the Answer for the Next Campaign?

Victor Anichebe has been a mystery to many Everton FC supporters over the last few seasons.

Anichebe made his Everton debut in 2006 but has not been able to bust into the starting XI like people felt he would.

Victor Anichebe’s body type and home country reminds of another Everton striker, Yakubu, who has had a very successful Premier League career.

Anichebe has had a tough time due to being injury plagued during his career. He cannot make it through a full season and this has capped him from fulfilling his potential.

So if Victor Anichebe can string together a long season with consistent appearances, could he become the player Everton FC needs to get goals and bring them to a higher level?

The Pros of Victor Anichebe

Victor Anichebe’s body and physical skill is exactly two intangibles that cannot be taught that will allow him to excel in the Premier League.

Over the course of Anichebe’s professional career with Everton he has only managed 92 appearances over five seasons.

If Victor can string together a full season it would be like having a new signing in the squad even though he has been there for so long.

He has never had a chance to gel with the squad because he has never played at full strength in his career.

He may not be the signing that Everton fans are hoping for but anyone contributing and displaying passion and love for the Toffees is welcomed.

If Victor can use his physical strength to play as a hold up striker that brings David Moyes’s five-man midfield into the game, he can succeed.

His ability to fend off defenders and also be able to beat them makes him a great potential striker to play the lone role up top in the Blues' formation.

David Moyes praises Anichebe’s ability saying, “He has had a few injuries and if he can get rid of them he has got things you can't buy – great strength, great pace and power.”

With Everton’s shoe string budget, supporters may have to embrace familiar faces to rejuvenate themselves and show a side of them no one has ever seen before. With Victor it is about playing through nagging injuries and keeping himself as fit as possible so he can be in the starting XI or at the very least on the bench.

Cons of Victor Anichebe

As detailed in length by every writer or commentator who talks about Victor, injuries is the one thing that has held the 23 year old back thus far.

There are also other questions marks to be examined.

In the half moon formation that Everton plays at times, the lone striker is asked to do a lot. It is undecided if Victor can really take on all of the responsibilities of this role.

When Tim Cahill is in the withdrawn role and can support the Nigerian striker, Anichebe can truly excel. But when Tim is asked to track back in games where the opposition keeps consistent pressure, will Victor be able to create in minimal chances?

It is something that has not been seen yet.

His class was shown in the preseason match against DC United when he scored his goal. It showed what he can do but it was up against opposition that allowed Everton to manipulate the game and move all around them.

Victor Anichebe against Premier League opposition game in game out has not been seen yet and it is worrisome to think he cannot play in the role that David Moyes deploys the striker.

Another question mark is how will Victor do when asked to pressure the back line.

He has the intangibles that David Moyes is quick to point out which should make it an easy task, but he has been deployed a lot of times on the wings in the past few seasons when healthy.

Conclusion on Anichebe

Victor Anichebe can and will become the player that is promised by his potential.

If he can play consistently next season he will show more than what is expected of him.

He will dominate in games when he plays with another striker alongside of him, especially if that striker is Jermaine Beckford. Anichebe can use his strength to hold up the ball as Beckford stretches the defense with his speed, and this will translate to threatening movement leading to goals.

Anichebe has also been able to train alongside Yakubu since 2007 and he will have learned how to use his size in the Premier League from one of the best. This can only help Victor in the long run.

Next season will be a break out season for Victor Anichebe as he will score some timely goals for Everton and become a fan favorite.