Everton are now guaranteed at worst a top 10 finish in the Premier League come the end of the 2017/18. Given the massive investment made in the Toffees’ squad last summer, however, ambitions remain far greater than that level. With the campaign concluding there is plenty for majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to mull over, so here are three issues Everton must tackle before next season if they are to realise their aims.
Back or sack Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce is one of the most marmite managers; you either love him or hate him. Whatever you think of him, Big Sam has guided the Toffees away from flirting with Premier League relegation last autumn (it’s 25/1 with Sky Bet for him not to be so lucky next season) comfortably into the relative no man’s land of mid-table below the top six.
YouTube: Sam Allardyce responds to fan chanting at Huddersfield Town
Despite that and a win percentage that compares favourably with his days at Bolton Wanderers – still widely considered his best work as a coach – speculations persists that Allardyce will be replaced over the summer. Big Sam insists otherwise, however, and has said he will remain in charge next season following talks with Moshiri.
Yet nothing is being done from inside Goodison Park to curb the column inches in the national press dedicated to consistent gossip on Allardyce’s future and specifically potential replacements. Arsene Wenger is being talked up now before he’s even left Arsenal, alongside rumoured long-term managerial targets like ex-Watford boss Marco Silva and Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paulo Fonseca.
Start replacing an ageing defence
Toffees left back Leighton Baines and club captain Phil Jagielka have been fixtures in the team when fit since signing from Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United respectively during the summer of 2007. They have provided sterling service for more than a decade but, as they enter the final year of their current contracts, it really is time for a changing of the guard.
Jagielka turns 36 early next season, while Wales skipper Ashley Williams and Baines will both be 34 before 2018 ends. Everton have already attempted to sure up central defence by splashing a reported £30,000,000 on Michael Keane last summer but he’s struggled since switching from Burnley.
Eliaquim Mangala’s loan spell from Manchester City, meanwhile, has been curtailed by injury. Luke Garbutt, Mason Holgate and Jonjoe Kenny have some big shoes to fill at the back if the Toffees are to improve and challenge for the top four, which is a 16/1 (Sky Bet) price for next season. It’s just 1/3 for Everton to tread water and finish inside the top 10 again. You can check these betting offers to back Everton in any market you like.
Clear out Koeman’s flops
Allardyce’s Everton predecessor Ronald Koeman has admitted to making mistakes with that big transfer budget last summer. He’s described ex-Ajax captain and Netherlands midfielder Davy Klaassen as “disappointing” since arriving in the Premier League.
It really wasn’t necessary to buy both Klaassen and Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson with Wayne Rooney returning to Merseyside from Manchester United as well. Besides a wealth of attacking midfielders and number 10 types, there’s also some deadwood to clear up front.
Sandro Ramirez is a graduate of Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy but managed just a single goal in 15 games for the Toffees before being shipped out on loan to Sevilla – where he still hasn’t rediscovered the goalscoring touch he had at Malaga. His Everton future is in doubt, especially due to the January arrival of Turkey frontman Cenk Tosun.
