Everton’s next fixture sees them travel to Burnley to take on their second of the newly promoted sides this season. The Toffees currently occupy sixth place in the league table with 15 points from eight games, whilst Burnley have seven points, and sit in 14th place.
Everton’s most recent result saw them earn a well-deserved point against Manchester City, drawing 1-1, courtesy of an inspired performance from goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg whose catalogue of top-class saves included two penalty stops. Burnley on the other hand, fell to a 3-1 defeat to a Southampton side beginning to find their feet under new manager Claude Puel.
With Andre Gray still out with a lengthy suspension, and star summer signing Steven Defour missing through injury, Everton should be looking to claim all three points.
So here we look at the three Burnley players who could prove to be the biggest thorns in Everton’s proverbial side, and the one player who will be of most value to Ronald Koeman’s side if Everton are to emerge from the dust with all three points secure.
Let us know down below who you think Everton’s most important player will be.
Sam Vokes
Burnley’s Welsh international striker will lead the line for the Clarets this weekend with Andre Gray unavailable, and will therefore, be Burnley’s biggest goal threat.
Although Vokes’ first season in the Premier League with Burnley was very much disrupted by injury, the 26-year old who turns 27 tomorrow, was able to get back to his goal scoring ways in the Championship last season and has scored two goals already this term.
Jeff Hendrick
Arguably Ireland’s best player at the 2016 European Championships, Jeff Hendrick’s move in the summer from Derby looks to be a good move for the second-tier Champions.
Hendrick is a solid midfield player and is already looking to strike up a combative partnership with fellow new signing Steven Defour. Having scored once already this season, the 24-year old will be looking to kick on and take centre stage with Defour out injured.
George Boyd
Since signing from Hull City back in 2014, George Boyd has established himself as a key component in Sean Dyche’s side. Often deployed as a winger, Boyd can operate as an attacker on either side of the field or through the middle.
Blessed with speed and determination to match, Boyd will be looking to influence the game this weekend, having played in every league game this season without being able to find the net as of yet.
Yannick Bolasie (EFC Star Man)
Bolasie has proved to be a solid signing for Everton so far, but unfortunately, has conformed to the rumours of inconsistency that Crystal Palace fans promised and Everton fans feared.
After impressing in the first few games, Yala has gone off the boil in the previous few fixtures and will need to get back to his best if he is to get his first goal for the club and help Romelu Lukaku continue his early season vein of form.