After starting the season in scintillating form, Everton have quietly fallen back down to earth over the last few months. They’ve seen an upturn in form of late, however, and they will be looking to push on. In January, they’ve already been pretty busy as they’ve signed young winger Ademola Lookman and central midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin while seeing a few faces leave the club. Everton find themselves in a seventh place that will feel a lot like purgatory. They’re seven points adrift of Manchester United and four points ahead of West Brom. They’re out of the cup, so they are just going to be trying to take as many points as possible and preparing for next season now. Here are some ways they can improve their form in the back half of the season:
3 Offload dead wood
Everton’s manager, Ronald Koeman, has made a few players surplus to requirements thus far, and he’s started getting them out of the way. Gerard Deulofeu is now gone, and Phil Jagielka, Darron Gibson, and Tom Cleverley appear to be next. Making room for players that fit their new style of play will only help the club in training and in matches themselves.
2 Lamine Kone
Everton could still use a bit of help at center back, especially with the rumors of Phil Jagielka’s imminent departure from the club he has served for so long. If Everton are going to continue with three at the back as well, it would do them well to have one dominating presence in the very center. Kone can give that to them and more, but it’ll cost them. Fortunately, Everton don’t seem to mind paying out nowadays.
1 Jetro Willems
It’d have been unthinkable five years ago to suggest that Everton find a replacement for Leighton Baines. But that’s essentially what is going to have to happen. Baines is no spring chicken anymore, and Everton need to look elsewhere for at least some of the matches. Willems would be good in both a wingback role and at full back, and he’s got great pace. Plus, he’s Dutch and would gel well with Koeman.
