I’m really looking forward to getting back to Goodison Park, which is something I’ve not said in a few years. It’s nice to be looking forward to watching an Everton team who are going to put in some effort, after whatever the last couple of seasons have been.
We go into the game with far more optimism than when we first started Silva’s premiership back in June, which is an interesting development, as by this point in time last year, most optimism for the season had faded after we failed to sign a striker and were left with no goals in the team.
But anyway, let’s not think about those times and instead focus on our new Everton, and all of the Brazilian joys that come with it. Luckily, Jagielka is banned for this game (and the next two), so we’re going to be seeing a much improved pairing in the centre of defence.
Who, you might ask? Well. There’s only one way to find out
GK - Jordan Pickford
Yep.
RB - Séamus Coleman
Hopefully Coleman will get the armband on Saturday, just as he should have had it for the last few years
CB - Michael Keane
Keane was absolutely terrific against Wolves, so there’s no reason to drop him now. If we can’t reward good performances with a place in next week’s team, what’s the point?
And this week, he’ll have a solid partner to play alongside.
CB - Kurt Zouma
Zouma comes in simply because Mina hasn’t been training long enough to be fully fit for this game, having only arrived on Thursday. Of course that’s not to discredit Zouma at all, as he is a solid centre-back in his own right, and will be a much more reliable partner to Keane than Jagielka.
LB - Lucas Digne
As good as Baines was, he still needs to be phased out of the side for Digne to come in, and that should start with our first home game of the season.
DM - Idrissa Gana Gueye
Gueye didn’t have his best game in a blue shirt against Wolves, but our midfield falls apart when he doesn’t play, so he stays in the side. However good Schneiderlin was last week, there is no reason to set up as defensively at home against a relegation-level side, so let’s not.
CM - Gylfi Sigurdsson
I’d like to see Sigurdsson be tried in a deeper role, as an #8 rather than a #10. He has struggled since his arrival, and a change up in midfield could revitalise him, as well as our attacking prowess.
And hopefully this time, he’ll get a full game.
AM - Bernard
Bernard gets his first start for the Blues, as we need to take the game to Southampton. He is going to be an exciting player to watch, that’s for sure, and let’s hope he and Richarlison can make our attack a real threat.
RW - Theo Walcott
Walcott wasn’t too involved last time out, but there’s only so much when you barely get the ball, even when you’re through on goal. Looking at no one in particular, of course.
But he’s too much of a threat to consider dropping, and his partnership with Cenk is valuable, even if the opposite flank is the one getting all the attention right now.
LW - Richarlison
There isn’t much point to listing off superlatives about Richarlison, because it only ends badly for me. Either: A) He performs better than what I say and I’m proven wrong through understatement or, B) He has a bad game and I look like a fool for hyping him up so much after just one game.
But he’s boss and I can’t wait to see him on Saturday.
ST - Cenk Tosun
Tosun’s hold up play against Wolves was excellent, and he looks to be thriving in Silva’s system as a lone striker, which is nice, as in Allardyce’s, he was too isolated far too often.
It’s going to be a big season for Big Cenk, and I can’t wait to see what he can produce.