Everton failed to make any new additions to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, despite the fact that they not only sold Anthony Gordon last month but also face another relegation scrap over the remainder of the season.

The Toffees are currently 18th in the Premier League table with only 18 points out of a possible 66 and just 16 goals scored, the fewest of any team in the top flight so far this season, a testament to their desperation for quality in the forward line.

There have been several variables which have led to Everton finding themselves scrapping for their Premier League status yet again this season, with Richarlison moving to Tottenham Hotspur and experienced striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffering from multiple injury problems which have prevented him from building up a good run of form over the last 18 months.

However, the powerbrokers at Goodison Park have had plenty of opportunity to replace the Brazilian and add depth to cover for injuries over the last two transfer windows, opting to sign Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil.

Both have failed to hit the ground running with consistent and reliable output in front of goal, scoring just three times in all competitions between them.

While those two joined, one player that Everton missed out upon in the summer was Ajax star Mohammed Kudus after a £15m bid was rejected, with the talented attacker confirming that he had talks with then-Toffees manager Frank Lampard.

Would Kudus have saved Everton’s season?

There is no doubt that Kudus has captured the attention of the football world with his creativity and consistency in the final third, something that he has displayed this season both at club level and on the international stage at the World Cup with his native Ghana.

The 22-year-old – who was hailed a “star boy” by Ajax team-mate Calvin Bassey – ranks in the top 15% of his positional peers across the main European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots in total, shot-creating actions, pass completion, progressive passes, successful take-ons, touches, tackles and interceptions, proving that he is one of the standout young talents in Europe right now.

Across 20 Eredivisie appearances this season, Kudus has scored eight goals, registered one assist and tallied an 86% pass completion rate, averaging 1.9 shots on goal, 1.9 successful dribbles and four successful duels per game so far.

There is no doubt that Kevin Thelwell dropped the ball by failing to secure a deal for Kudus, whose work rate and quality could have been massively advantageous to Sean Dyche in his challenge to stop Everton from falling into the Championship this year, and he would undoubtedly have improved the Toffees’ threat in front of goal.

If Everton do find themselves relegated at the end of the season, the Goodison Park hierarchy will only have themselves to blame for missing out on opportunities to strengthen and rebuild the personnel in the final third with a player like Kudus.