As the season begins and the transfer window ends, I take a look at Everton’s squad for this season and see whether or not they have sufficient squad depth.
Here is the confirmed squad for the Premier League (*= Home Grown):
Leighton Baines*, Ross Barkley*, Gareth Barry*, Muhamed Besic, Tom Cleverley*, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori, Darron Gibson*, Tony Hibbert*, Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka*, Arouna Kone, Aaron Lennon*, Romelu Lukaku*, Conor McAleny*, James McCarthy*, Aiden McGeady, Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith, Leon Osman*, Bryan Oviedo, Steven Pienaar, Joel Robles and Leandro Rodriguez.
Tyias Browning, Gerard Deulofeu, Brendan Galloway, Mason Holgate and John Stones are included in the Under 21 players list.
Goalkeepers:
A position which many Evertonians were hoping Martinez would improve, despite his admiration of Tim Howard. He has come under heavy criticism over the last year and many think Joel Robles needs to be given a chance.
Howard blows hot and cold, he can be awful one game and then brilliant the next.
Robles won’t be able to come into the team and set the world alight after one appearance. To do so he’ll need game time, which I can’t see him getting whilst Martinez is manager.
Defenders:
Despite keeping hold of John Stones after many bids from Chelsea, Everton managed to strengthen their back line with the acquisition of Ramiro Funes Mori. The Argentine will hope to force his way into Martinez’s starting XI alongside skipper Phil Jagielka. Some task he has!
With the signing of Funes Mori, Martinez may change his formation to include all three of the players in the Everton back line. This is something he used in his time with Wigan, allowing his full-backs to push on becoming wing-backs – something I feel would suit Everton. Mason Holgate was also brought in from Barnsley but it is unlikely he will push for a first team spot straight away.
Seamus Coleman is, by far, the first choice right-back. There was no need for Martinez to replace him, but I feel a player was needed to put more pressure on him. Something that Tony Hibbert isn’t capable of doing – no disrespect to him.
With Leighton Baines currently injured, it has left Bryan Oviedo and under 21’s Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway to fill in. Again, he doesn’t need replacing but left-back is a position that opposition have had enjoyment targeting so far this season.
I’m a little disappointed with Martinez’s failure to sign another centre-back. With only three senior centre-backs in Stones, Jagielka and Mori, a injury could see Everton in big trouble at the back.
Midfielders:
Central midfield is, in my opinion, Everton’s strongest position. They have strength in depth. As Martinez likes to play two central plays, these are usually James McCarthy and Gareth Barry. Despite Evertonians questioning Barry’s ability, Lukaku is a big fan of his. He recently said “Gareth [Barry] is fundamental to our game. He’s the unsung hero”.
The pair, along with summer recruit Tom Cleverley, have made it hard for Muhamed Besic and Leon Osman to get regular game time. Although I’m sure they’ll get game time – at 34-years-old Osman will get games when there are injuries and Besic being 22-years-old has lots of time to improve as a player.
Darron Gibson, who is currently injured, played a small part last season after yet another injury. His chances are always going to be limited with the strength and his inability to get a run of games, due to injury. His Everton career looks to have finished after a drink-driving offence a few weeks ago.
I feel Ross Barkley will have a big role to play this season. He’s impressed so far, it’s just a case of whether he can perform on a consistent basis. He was always seen as a No.10 but has featured in a midfield three, alongside McCarthy and Barry early this season.
No new players were brought in, in this department and i think this was the correct decision from Martinez, unless a few were to be sold.
Wingers/Attackers:
As for wingers, Everton have a strong lineup with depth. In my opinion, Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu are the most able players in this department, so I feel they should be playing on a regular basis. He can’t expect 21-year-old Deulofeu to come off the bench in the 82nd minute and win Everton the game every week.
After the signing of Aaron Lennon and with Aiden McGeady, Steven Naismith and Steven Pienaar already at the club, Martinez needs to start playing actual wingers in wide positions. He has the depth and options, they’re currently being wasted sitting on the bench.
We all know that Romelu Lukaku is the best striker at the club, he may have a lot of improving to do but he’s certainly the pick of the current crop. I’m intrigued to see how good summer signing Leandro Rodriguez really is. He’s only 22-years-old and at only £500,000, he could prove to be a steal.
We know what Arouna Kone is capable of and I feel his best position is in the No.9 position – not in a wide position where he’s played in the early stages of the season. That’s not to say he should take Lukaku’s place in the starting XI, of course.
Having only featured for the first team a few times, Conor McAleny is some way off, although, the potential is there. He may get his chance in cup games or coming off the bench in a few Premier League games.
I think in most areas Everton have good depth and quality. It just depends on what system Martinez decides to play.
For me, this is Everton’s strongest XI, when everyone is fit:
Are you happy with how the squad is now the transfer window has shut? And what do you think is Everton’s strongest XI? Send us your thoughts to @ReadEverton.
