The Premier League finally gets underway this weekend, and after a massive summer of spending again; it would seem Everton are well placed for a fight to finish in the top six of the Premier League. However, they seem to be like Cleveland Browns in the NFL odds: always with a great line up, but always underachieving.
Still, they will face stiff competition from Wolves, Leicester City and West Ham United if they are to truly battle for a strong finish. The consistency has been the problem for Everton over the past couple of seasons, and they have had problems scoring goals throughout the season. However, have they finally addressed these issues over the summer months.
Attacking Options
The signing of Moise Kean was a surprising, yet welcome addition to the Toffees squad. The teenager is highly regarded around Europe and registered six goals in 13 appearances in Serie A last season.
Kean undoubtedly adds a new element to the Everton forward line, and it will be interesting to see how Marco Silva sets up at the beginning of the season. Will Richarlison and Kean form a strike partnership, or will Richarlison be operating from wide left with Kean deployed as a loan striker?
Both are good options for the Toffees, and it certainly offers the club the chance to change their tactics as the season goes on. Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains at the club also and will provide a viable back-up option.
The full-time signing of Andre Gomes ensures that Everton has the creativity in the middle of the park, while Gylfi Sigurdsson will also likely register ten goals for the second successive season for Everton.
Defensive Options
The one area for concern for Marco Silva would be in the defensive areas. The club finally settled on a centre back pairing of Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane at the backend of last season, but the chances of the Toffees securing Zouma for a second season are instantly fading.
Silva didn’t seem convinced by Yerry Mina after his £30 million move from Barcelona, but it could stand a chance that the Colombian will be given more first-team opportunities this season purely by default.
Everton could yet move to make a late loan move for Fikayo Tomori, but his inexperience could prove that the youngster is only a back-up option. The full-back positions remain staked at the club, especially on the left-hand side.
Leighton Baines and the newly arrived Fabian Delph both offer competition to Lucas Digne. The Toffees also lost Idrissa Gueye over the summer, but the club moved effectively to bring in Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz. The holding midfielder impressed last season and will slot into the Toffees midfield comfortably.
Comparison with Competition
All three of the leading sides, including Everton, have certain strong points. But it is their weak points, that means that there are still question marks hanging over their chances. Whereas Everton need to ensure they have consistency. Especially away from home, Leicester have defensive problems, and the question over how Wolves can deal with the Europa League is also intriguing.
Leicester still may yet replace the outgoing Harry Maguire, but if they don’t then, it would be hard to see them pushing for a top-six finish with Wes Morgan anchoring their backline. Wolves’ squad size means that they could struggle with playing in the Europa League and Everton would be in the best place to pounce on their slip-ups.
After overcoming the Northern Irish Crusaders, Wolves will play the Armenian team Pyunik. They still have to face a playoff if they beat Pyunik, playing either Italian team Torino or the Belarusians of Shakhtyor Soligursk. This will mean Wolves will have a lot on their plate already this month.
The Toffee’s consistency in finishing in a strong position in the Premier League will mean that they hold the advantage over their rivals. But, how Kean and the other new arrivals bed in will be the crucial aspect to how much they can achieve this season. However, the early signs are good, and it could be a memorable season as they upset the football betting odds.