It feels like longer than two weeks since Everton last played, but I suppose that’s an effect of a poor result before a long break. There isn’t much worse than a disappointing game before the internationals, as you just want to get on to the next one, but it never comes.
Anyway, it came, and we’ve got West Ham on Sunday. We also face them with what feels like half a squad, just adding to my already pretty strong hatred of international football. They’re just useless, glorified friendlies and if I had my way, no Everton player would go on international duty again. I’d rather see Everton win a throw in than England win the World Cup. Is that a popular opinion? Maybe.
Not that I’d change my mind either way.
But we’ll work with what we’ve got, and some injuries come as a blessing in disguise.
Which ones?
That’s why you’re here. Click the appealing box below.
GK - Jordan Pickford
Playing West Ham reminds me of Joe Hart, and the single worst take I’ve made in my life with football. I didn’t want Pickford, I didn’t think he was that much of an upgrade on Robles.
I wanted Joe Hart, ‘one of the best ‘keepers in the world.’
Never let me forget I typed that.
RB - Jonjoe Kenny
This is Kenny’s real chance to secure his spot in the first team following some really disappointing performances from Séamus Coleman, and I believe he’ll take it. He looked excellent in the League Cup game, and I hope he can kick on and build off of last season.
CB - Mason Holgate
Holgate is one of those who is taking his chance in a depleted team, and showing us that he is indeed the player we thought he was. He can develop a partnership with Kurt Zouma, and provide some much needed competition in central defence, with a rotation of Mina/Zouma/Holgate/Keane.
CB - Kurt Zouma
Zouma has really impressed since his debut, following an initial shaky start in that match, and looks like an excellent stop-gap until Brands has more time to search for targets next summer.
LB - Lucas Digne
Digne and Kenny certainly have the potential to be our full-back pairing going forward, and with the phasing out of Baines and Coleman, it’s looking like a real possibility. Digne was excellent against Huddersfield, and looks to be striking up a strange partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, of all people.
CM - Idrissa Gana Gueye
It’s good to have Gana back, because as much as everyone wants to see Tom Davies be able to do Gana’s job, he can’t.
CM - Morgan Schneiderlin
Perhaps Silva’s biggest accomplishment is not just getting Morgan Schneiderlin to rediscover his form, it is getting him to play well alongside Gana. They could never play together, but Silva, at least initially, appears to have found the formula.
AM - Gylfi Sigurdsson
Gylfi has started the season much better than where he left off last year, but his real test is to see whether he can maintain it. He showed glimpses last season, but ultimately didn’t take the team on his back like he had to. Let’s see if he can kick on this season.
LW - Bernard
Bernard is ultimately an enigma right now. He is both a Brazil superstar and a Ukranian Premier League player at best. He hasn’t yet had a chance to prove what he can do at the highest level of club football, but this weekend will be an early indicator of whether a 5”5 winger can survive.
I personally believe he will, and I think he’s going to be an excellent acquisition on a free.
RW - Theo Walcott
(Theo faces a late fitness test, so assuming he fails, DCL plays instead).
I still stand by my take that Walcott is going to be the biggest breakout star of this season for Everton, and healthy competition between Richarlison and himself is never a bad thing.
Walcott is on two goals and two assists, Richarlison on three goals. Granted, Richarlison was a bit silly and hasn’t had the chances Walcott has had, but a tandem of the two could be the most slept on set of wingers in the Premier League. They can mix it with anyone on their day.
ST - Cenk Tosun
Tosun just needs a goal to shut people up. He has genuinely been excellent so far this season with his contribution to the team and work rate being flawless. He will get his goals, because he’s a great striker.