Ronald Koeman makes his bow as the Everton manager in a face-off with Mauricio Pochettino who will be in charge of Tottenham Hotspur. Koeman will be eager to get off the blocks quickly after having made the controversial switch from Southampton to domestic rivals Everton. The Toffees will be looking to take advantage of their home comforts as they face last season’s surprise No.3. It was rumored that the manager had been provided a £100m transfer warchest but it has not been reflected on their transfer activities. Most of the summer has gone by trying to convince the likes of Lukaku into staying at the club, but with just more than two weeks to go there are still question marks over the striker.
Koeman will look to get the likes of Ross Barkley, Mirallas and Deulofeu firing in unison as their inconsistency has been holding Everton back in the last couple of seasons. John Stones left for Manchester City in a record £47.5m deal which has enabled Everton to partially reshape their defence. They have wrapped up the signing of Swansea City captain Ashley Williams. Both Everton and Manchester City would seem to be satisfied with the outcome of the transfer eventually. Koeman will look to make a couple of more signings, preferably in the attacking department as depth will be key over the long season.
TEAM NEWS AND PREDICTED LINE-UP
Ronald Koeman will be without the services of the talismanic Wales National Team captain who is still not match-fit. Right-back Seamus Coleman is also a doubt as is their star striker Romelu Lukaku. Skipper Phil Jagielka is in line to start after being passed fit. Two new signings Idrissa Gueye and Marten Stekelenburg are expected to make their debuts. But Koeman has stressed that overall, the team is at 70% fitness of what he expects them to be.
Ronald Koeman will most likely roll out the team in his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation.
DEFENCE
Marten Stekelenburg will start in goal with the central defensive pair of Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori ahead of him. Leighton Baines is nailed on at right-back while Bryan Oviedo can fill in at right-back in case Coleman is ruled out.
MIDFIELD
He has several options at his disposal in the midfield pivot. While Idrissa Gueye is most likely take up one spot the likes of Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Tom Cleverly are options for the other. We are going with Barry for his experience which will help the new signing settle in smoothly. Ross Barkley will look to attain a level of consistency in the No.10 role.
ATTACK
Mirallas and Deulofeu will likely line up on the two flanks with Lukaku up top. If the big Belgian is ruled out, Deulofeu can be played as a false 9 and Lennon can slot in at right-wing.
