If we’d signed Moise Kean and JP Gbamin on the final day of the transfer window instead of Alex Iwobi, we’d all be buzzing going into the start of the season. However as it was, with the promise of Wilfried Zaha early morning, and the evening reality of Iwobi with no central defensive accompaniment, it’s a muted feeling across the board.
But in a retrospective look back, we did strengthen. If we can go back in for a first choice central defender in January, then we will be in a very strong place. Kean is an absolute superstar, Gbamin eases the pain of losing Idrissa Gueye, Fabian Delph is a superb squad signing and brings a winning mentality, Djibril Sidibe brings a challenge to Seamus Coleman for the first time in years, Jonas Loessl is a solid backup goalkeeper, securing Andre Gomes was always key and Alex Iwobi is a complete question mark, but this is where the trust in Marcel Brands comes to bear fruit.
I completely trust Mr Brands and Mr Silva to build a squad worthy of Bramley-Moore Docks, and if these players are in their plans, then I can’t wait to see it all take shape.
We didn’t buy Yerry Mina last season to sit on the bench for years to come, and Mason Holgate still has bags of potential.
Let’s get the season started.
GK: Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford went under the radar for large parts of last season, but he proved himself to be one of the land’s finest goalkeepers, and we’re lucky to have him.
RB: Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman will be pushed this year, which will only result in good things. He will either be displaced by Djibril Sidibe, or will overcome the challenge and become a better player.
CB: Michael Keane
Big Mick Keane is the best English centre-back.
Just had to get it out of the way.
Mick Keane came on leaps and bounds last year and really did develop into one of the most solid central defenders in the Premier League.
It was about this time last year I couldn’t stand the sight of him, and now, ‘Keane 4’ adorns the back of my new shirt. (Editor’s Note: He really has bought that shirt, and Keane has now changed shirt to ‘Keane 5’)
CB: Yerry Mina
Like I mentioned previously, we did not buy Yerry Mina to warm the bench. He was always meant to be a star for the Blues, so now it’s time for him to prove it.
LB: Lucas Digne
A lot of the media believe we are weaker, citing the loss of ‘our best player’ as the key reason.
Actually, he’s starting at left-back.
CM: Tom Davies
With Fabian Delph being injured and Morgan Schneiderlin not being mobile enough to be the water carrier we need in the middle, Tom Davies starts with a point to prove this season.
CM: Andre Gomes
Another who arrived early enough to enjoy a full summer with the squad was Andre Gomes, who we seem to have forgotten the importance of keeping.
He is one of the best players outside of the Sky 6 in the Premier League, and he’ll be playing for Everton for years to come.
AM: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Gylfi was statistically very good last season, but to the eye test, it was clear to see that he drifted in and out of games a bit too often.
He is a phenomenal player on his day, he just needs more days.
LW: Bernard
Bernard is another who will be pushed by new arrivals. Alex Iwobi has not been brought in to sit on the bench either, and as much as we all love Bernard, he is the first candidate likely to be dropped if Iwobi is brought into the team.
Bernard, like Gylfi, is truly magical on his day and individually put in some of the finest performances of last year against West Ham and Manchester United, and we will need more of them.
RW: Richarlison
Lucas Digne is Everton’s best player, Jordan Pickford is the Nation’s hero, Moise Kean is the exciting new face, but there is no denying that Richarlison is Everton’s global superstar.
He may well be Brazil’s most popular player, and he is the global face of the Blues. He will be the one to lead us into Bramley-Moore, and I can’t think of a more fitting player to do so. He can become something very special, if he is not already.
ST: Moise Kean
A front three of Bernie/Iwobi-Richarlison-Kean is truly exhilirating to think about, and it is a clear indication of the Brands era at Everton, with three young, exciting playmakers leading the line in what is now one of the most anticipated teams in the country.
The spine of our team is so, so youthful and it is something most teams only dream of. Let’s hope we can get the most out of it.