Everton return to Premier League action at Hull City tomorrow with David Moyes having decisions to make on both wings.
As we covered in our Hull City v Everton preview, the Blues are unbeaten after five league games and went into the international break with a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Thierno Barry should lead the line, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall behind him, but there is real competition either side. Jack Grealish and Tyrique George are options from the left, while Brennan Johnson and Tyler Dibling are competing on the right.
Grealish or George on the left?
Grealish would be the obvious choice on reputation, but George has given Moyes something to think about.
Moyes has already spoken about wanting Everton to adapt their attack around Grealish, which points towards the 31-year-old starting when fit.
George, though, has already scored in the Premier League this season and can play from either flank. He operated from the right when he scored against Manchester United, so starting Grealish does not necessarily mean George has to miss out.
Grealish is comfortable taking the ball in tight areas, while George is more inclined to run at his man and attack space. Leaving either on the bench would also give Moyes a strong option if Everton need to change the game.
Johnson or Dibling on the right?
Johnson has been the more regular starter, but Dibling is pushing for more minutes. The former Southampton winger also scored for England Under-21s during the international break and offers something different from the right. Johnson is more likely to make runs beyond the defence, while Dibling wants the ball earlier and is happy carrying it towards his man.
George can play there too, giving Moyes another possibility if Grealish starts on the left. The Guardian’s look at the weekend’s Premier League games expects Hull and Everton to lean heavily on ‘transitions and set pieces’ tomorrow. That could come into Moyes’ thinking when choosing which two wide players start around Barry.
Is Mykolenko ready to return?
Mykolenko is the fitness decision. “He’s got a chance for Sunday. The extra day might help,” Moyes said on Friday.
If he is ready, he can return at left-back without Moyes having to move anyone else. If he misses out, the manager has to find another solution on that side of the defence.
That matters because James Garner can fill in there, but taking him out of midfield would create another change in a team that has taken nine points from five league games.
The Premier League’s Hull v Everton match page lists Mykolenko among Everton’s defensive options for tomorrow, with his availability set to be decided following his early return from international duty.
The two wing positions are harder to call. Grealish, George, Johnson and Dibling give Moyes four credible options for two places, and tomorrow’s teamsheet should tell us which pairing currently has the edge.
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