Scout Report: Bryan Oviedo - Will the Costa Rican adequately replace Patrick van Aanholt?

Full Name

Bryan Josué Oviedo Jiménez.

Date & Place Of Birth

Oviedo was born in Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica on 18th February 1990.

Playing History

Oviedo emerged through the ranks at Costa Rican club Saprissa as a youngster before moving to FC Copenhagen in 2010. He remained there for two seasons - winning one Danish league title and two Danish cups - before Everton, and David Moyes, came calling in the summer of 2012.

Whilst Oviedo has been on Merseyside for much of the last five seasons he's been little more than a squad player that has only been given a chance to start games whenever Leighton Baines has not been fit.

Oviedo has 31 international caps for Costa Rica, making his debut for his country way back in 2010.

Physically, What Is He Like?

Oviedo is very small, but very quick. Sunderland may well have lost some pace down our left hand side when selling Patrick van Aanholt but Oviedo is also a very capable player in attacking areas and his speed helps to aid that.

What Has Been Said?

Skysports reported that Oviedo, along with Darron Gibson, would be leaving Everton for Sunderland on the proviso of passing their medical examinations.

Oviedo has been linked to Sunderland on numerous occasions across January and you get the feeling that this was always a deal that was going to happen once Patrick van Aanholt's move away from the club was confirmed.

Now that Sunderland have sold the Dutchman, it makes the need for a player like Oviedo in our squad even greater.

How Much Has He Been Playing?

Oviedo has started six games in the Premier League this season for Everton, but once Leighton Baines was back fit in Novemeber he returned to his usual place amongst the substitutes on the bench.

The Costa Rican's inclusion in the Everton side coincided with a rather poor run of form for Ronald Koeman's team - in the six league games that he has started in, Everton won only once, against West Ham at Goodison Park in October.

Where Would He Fit Into David Moyes' Squad?

Now that Patrick van Aanholt has left us for Crystal Palace we need a left back that can offer us something similar down that side of the pitch. As poor as van Aanholt was defensively he was superb going forward most of the time, and we have to ensure that we strike the correct balance now that he has gone.

This means that there will, of course, be some expectancy placed on Oviedo to contribute offensively whilst proving that he can actually defend competently.

No pressure, then.

Injury History

Oviedo's had his leg broken in an FA Cup game with Stevenage back in 2014, an injury which sidelined him for over seven months.

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Video Footage

Perhaps Oviedo's most notable contribution since joining Everton was his goal against Manchester United in 2013 which won his side the match in the 86th minute.

Conclusion

Oviedo hasn't played a great deal of football since coming to England and, at the age of 26, he should be now more than ready to prove himself as a regular in a top flight side.

We're obviously going to feel the loss of Patrick van Aanholt offensively but we have to at least hope that Oviedo is a more well-rounded player that can contribute between now and the end of the season on a more regular basis.

Obviously this is a deal that suits both parties - Moyes gets another player that he's worked with in the past on a presumably cheap deal, whilst Oviedo gets to move away from Everton and play more regular football.