Football Season Guide

Strong end to last season saved Marco Silva’s job, with Everton matched only by Man City and Liverpool from February onwards in defensive efficiency. The heavy investment in the squad over recent years is yet to bring the desired results though, and tension is mounting as this is seen as the season in which Everton need to start mixing it with the Big 6. Silva will hope that the injury-prone centre-back Mina will be much fitter as reliable Zouma returned to his parent club Chelsea, exposing a hole in the heart of the defence. The other important player that left was main holding midfielder Gueye, but with Gomes making his stay permanent and the recent signing of Delph from the champions, plus the addition of Gbamin, Everton look to have covered this area of the pitch well. Main issue last season was the absence of a proven goalscorer and typical target man, but on the eve of the new season hugely talented Italian teenager Kean was signed from Juventus and he is seen as the new Lukaku by the Toffees. The squad looks very solid though, and with Sigurdsson one of the best playmakers in the league, the 2 full-backs Digne and Coleman modern, attack-minded flyers forward, a rock-solid holding midfielder in Gomes, and very flexible forward line, Everton look like a team ready to test themselves against the best in the land. Silva also knows that his team needs to make the most of the early months, with the kind schedule in the opening 10 rounds a great chance for Everton to establish themselves at the top end of the table, and have something to build on after that.