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:
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.
