With the January transfer window of 2020 just around the corner, all eyes will be on Marcel Brands as he looks to make the necessary improvements to newly-appointed Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
There is no doubting that Ancelotti will have a list of players he wants in & out based on the lack of quality in depth of the squad.
But where and how does Brands make these much-needed additions?
GOALKEEPER
There are currently three goalkeepers in the squad, namely Maarten Stekelenburg, Jonas Lossl and Jordan Pickford with the young Joao Virginia out on-loan. With Pickford now regaining form, Lossl as his step in and Stekelenburg applying his knowledge, it’s unlikely we’ll see any movement at all on the goalkeeping front.
DEFENCE
Since the significant loss of Kurt Zouma last season, Everton failed to make any sort of replacement. There appeared to be no backup plan lined-up and we are now relying on just the three central defenders.
Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate have proved to be the dominant partnership since the beginning of the term, with Michael Keane appearing complacent and unnerving for the most-part. Three centre-backs is simply not enough competition for a Premier League outfit and we can almost guarantee that Ancelotti will be wanting another.
Both full-back spots appear to be secure until at least the end of the season with Leighton Baines demonstrating fine qualities as cover for Lucas Digne, and Djibril Sidibe conveying how he can be the ideal successor to Seamus Coleman who is also still capable.
We can also expect Cuco Martina to be finally departing the club, as it’s unlikely Carlo Ancelotti will be too impressed with his quality.
MIDFIELD
Our midfield numbers have gradually depleted since the start of the season, recently requiring Holgate to step up into a defensive midfield role and Gylfi Sigurdsson dropping deeper than he ever has before.
The horror injury Andre Gomes suffered earlier in the season has ruled him out until next season and with Jean-Phillipe Gbamin and Fabian Delph unable to remain fit, we can also expect some reshuffling in these key areas.
We currently only have two natural central midfielders in Tom Davies and Delph, with the latter being injury-prone. There has already been rumours of Piotr Zielinski following Ancelotti to Goodison Park and these types of rumours will no doubt continue to circulate until the end of the transfer window.
In terms of out-goings, Sigurdsson has come under recent criticism for his performances, with fans expecting more from their club-record signing. However, it’s highly unlikely he will be going anywhere this window based on current numbers and as Brands is a keen admirer of Sigurdsson, he won’t be going anywhere until a replacement is found.
Perhaps this replacement may already be at the club in the form of Alex Iwobi who has impressed significantly in the no.10 role. However, this would require a change in formation from Ancelotti as the 4-4–2 he best adheres with doesn’t accommodate a central attacking midfielder.
ATTACK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Moise Kean, Richarlison and Bernard can all be said to have a future at Everton with all three showing signs of being first choice either in the present or future.
Theo Walcott is beginning to find some sort of consistency again after being under intense pressure following his performances under Marco Silva.
Academy graduate Anthony Gordon is also in contention for a place in the squad, with his U23s performances and energetic substitute appearance against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup catching the eye of Evertonians.
We can also presume that Oumar Niasse and Cenk Tosun’s spells at the club are coming to an end, with both seemingly unwanted at Goodison.
Read Everton verdict
Whatever transfer business will be made can be guaranteed to have a logical explanation, with Ancelotti’s business at Napoli showing how each and every player fits in to his desired system and style.
Marcel Brands will be under the microscope of Evertonians after a mixed bag of both outstanding and disappointing signings since his arrival.
