Placed second in English Premier League going into game week 6, Everton have all the winds blowing favourably in their sails. An away trip to Bournemouth is coming after a blip against Norwich in midweek, in the English League Cup, won’t bother the Blue side of Merseyside as much, as a potential banana skin against Eddie Howe’s team. Here’s how T4O anticipates the European mastermind, Ronald Koeman to navigate these tricky waters.
Goalkeeper
Maarten Stekelenburg
The former AS Roma colossus is slowly establishing himself as an ideal replacement of Tim Howard’s presence in the Everton box. Further guided and by the steely resolution of Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka in front, the Dutch international could be in for a quite a number of clean sheets this season.
Right-back
Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman is back for Everton, and back into Fantasy Premier League teams everywhere. Bournemouth would have to be wary of the full-back’s forward running ability, which saw him grab a goal vs Middleborough.
Left-back
Leighton Baines
Regarded as one of the most productive full-backs in the league. He’s slowly but surely finding his old form under Ronald Koeman.
Centre-backs
Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka
Everton have two stalwarts in the middle, with a world of experience and leadership in between them. This pair could lay the foundation for Everton finishing in Europe, this season, and could turn out to be one of the best defensive pairings this season, if not the best.
Central Defensive Midfielder
Gareth Barry
Scoring on his 600th appearance in the English Premier League, was one way of announcing his importance in this Everton side (not that the Blues need convincing of his battling qualities). The working-class hero, Gareth Barry, will play a pivotal role in this match, in manning the barricades and keeping things tight.
Attacking Midfielders
Idrissa Gueye and Ross Barkley
The perfect blend of style and substance, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and Ross Barkley apparels Everton’s midfield with thrust and forward momentum.
Right Forward
Yannick Bolasie
Yannick unfairly had a goal taken away from him, last game vs Middlesbrough, which was credited to Romelu Lukaku. The former Crystal Palace man would look to crack on, after his scintillating display the past week, and try to make a mark in the scoresheet.
Left Forward
Kevin Mirallas
What he lacks in end product, he makes up with yardage. He’d be one of the many players the Everton midfield will look to, to turn on the ball and spring the counter.
Striker
Romelu Lukaku
Fortunate goal vs Middlesbrough, but he found himself in the right place in the right time to get on the end of Bolasie’s attempted cross. There’s plenty more to come his way.