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Wanted - a twinkle-toed flyer who can change games with a drop of his shoulder and burst of pace.

Everton FC had just that last season in the capricious guise of Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu, but the young Catalan is back at Camp Nou ready to try and force his way into Luis Enrique’s team for the forthcoming campaign,

That’s why Roberto Martinez is keen to unearth a similar player who can come to Goodison for a term on loan and help the Blues tackle the twin challenges of domestic progress and the Europa League.

Currently the search has been narrowed to Chelsea and Ghana winger Christian Atsu, with talks between the Toffees and the Stamford Bridge outfit understood to be at an advanced stage.

But if a deal can be brokered over the next 48 hours, just what are Everton supporters in store for when the season begins on August 16?

The good news is that the 22-year-old is more of a team player than the kid from Catalunya who sporadically lit up Goodison during the 2013/14 season.

While Deulofeu was undoubtedly blessed with mesmerising ability with the ball at his feet, all to often gasps of appreciation from the Goodison gallery turned into groans of frustration when the teenager ignored a better placed team-mate for a pass or ran down a blind alley in a bid to impress.

Deulofeu had an eye for an assist although his crossing repertoire was largely restricted to low balls whipped across the six yard box. Atsu is a far better crosser, and capable of delivering an array of different balls - something which would be a major plus with Romelu Lukaku now guaranteed to be on the end of them.

Atsu is only 5ft8in but has a powerful physique which ensures he is difficult for full-backs to shove off the ball.

He may not share the same level of technical ability as Deulofeu, but with three seasons spent in the first team of top flight clubs (Porto, Rio Ave and Vitesse Arnhem) under his belt, he is likely to provide more end product and consistency.

Born into a large family, as a twin and youngest of 11 children, Atsu grew up in Ghana’s Greater Accra region, in the Medina district. It was there he honed his formative ability - like many of the greats - playing street football after school.

His footballing career began in earnest at the age of 10, when he was spotted by the Feyenoord academy while playing for his local side Pride FC. It was at the Dutch club’s renowned Ghanian training centre that he would spend many of his teenage years before joining the youth team of Cheetah FC – the Ghanaian Second Division side – in early 2009.

By the age of 17 the youngster was already attracting attention from foreign clubs after stand-out performances at youth competitions, and in January 2010 he was taken by a Canadian scout to FC Porto for a three-day trial. The Primeira Liga side were suitably impressed by what they witnessed and offered the teenager a six-month deal at the club.

By all accounts the first six months in Portugal were not easy. Atsu has subsequently admitted to struggling with learning a new language and the change in climate. However, Porto saw enough from him to offer an extended deal. In his first full season under then coach Andre Villas-Boas though, Atsu’s fortunes changed dramatically. He was voted the club’s Best Young Player of 2010-11, as they claimed the country’s league title, and a couple of months later he was voted Player of the Tournament as his side swept to victory in the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup 2011 – earning a new three-year contract with the club.

His performances at youth level, in turn, earned the opportunity of a loan move to another Portuguese top flight side Rio Ave for the following campaign. He played 27 times, scoring six goals and adding four assists.

Atsu’s first season at senior level was a resounding success and he once more received accolades for his efforts, winning Rio Ave’s Player of the Year award for 2011-12. Such an impressive ascent had also caught the eye of the Ghanaian national team set-up and in June 2012, he made his senior international bow against Lesotho.

The winger is primarily left-footed but can play on either flank and cut inside to whip balls into the area.

He uses his low centre of gravity and excellent close-control to change direction sharply and is comfortable attacking the opposing full-back on either side, making use of his searing pace.

However, the winger does need to be more clinical in front of goal and, during his time at Rio Ave in 2011-12, was guilty on occasion of shooting tamely when presented with clear opportunities – particularly on his right-foot.

His crossing, though, is generally on the mark and he is often given the responsibility of taking set-pieces for his sides.

A bundle of energy, Atsu tracks back enthusiastically to protect his full-backs - a quality which had to be coaxed into Deulofeu, and is strong in the tackle.

In a head to head statistical match-up based on last season, Atsu out-performed Deulofeu.

The African had twice as many shots on target per game, five times more accurate crosses and was fouled more.

He also made more than twice the defensive actions in terms of regaining possession although he was more erratic in terns of being dispossessed and turnovers - twice as many as Deulofeu. Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is certainly an admirer of the Blues target. He said: “I’ve seen all three games that he has played for Ghana and he’s been incredible.

“If he continues this way he’s going to be a star.”

Let’s hope this particular rising star can burn brightly at Goodison next term.