Much bigger things were expected from Everton this time out. They turned towards an experienced manager in Ronald Koeman this summer and were expected to bid goodbye to mediocrity in the process. However, that has not been the case at Goodison Park at all this campaign. The Toffees had a pretty decent start to life under Koeman but things look far from impressive of late.
The morale of the Blue half of Merseyside will be shattered after their 5-0 loss to Chelsea just before the international break and Koeman has to ensure that his side picks up their game really soon.
There are plenty of areas where Everton can improve on and probably need a couple of transfer windows in order to achieve their desired squad strength and depth. The Mirror claims that Everton are preparing a £10m bid for Ademola Lookman in January after seeing their bid worth £7m being turned down by Charlton Athletic. The stocks of the 19-year-old are quite high right now and there are clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool who are after him.
In order to become a successful club, one has to have some serious young talents in their ranks, players who can play a long-term role at the club. That’s the formula for success in the long run. Everton are a highly ambitious club but do not have a really good bunch of young players. Getting a player like Lookman, who is right now one of the biggest talents in English football, would be a massive statement of intent from the Toffees.
Lookman, an under-19 international with England, is right now plying his trade at League One side Charlton Athletic who got relegated to the third tier of English football last season. The Addicks are known as one of the best academies in England and Lookman looks like the next big thing coming out of their famed academy.
A quick and tricky forward, who is capable of playing either as a number nine or a wide forward on the left flank, Lookman has shown that he has what it takes to make a name for himself at the big stage.
Just 18 years of age, Lookman burst onto the scene with Charlton last season. Even though the Addicks struggled as a unit and were demoted to the League One by the end of the season from Championship, Lookman did shine as an individual. Blessed with a blistering pace and brilliant ability on the ball, the 18-year-old can play anywhere across the final third and is a big threat with his direct style of play.
He is still a raw talent and needs proper guidance to become a star player. Ronald Koeman is well-known for his belief in young players and he is never hesitant to offer them chances when he feels they are ready enough.
Everton are in a dire need for a quality cover for their first-choice striker Lukaku and need more options on the flanks as well with the likes of Mirallas, Deulofeu, Bolasie and Lennon struggling to make an impact on a weekly basis. So, if Lookman does well to impress Koeman, he will have opportunities coming his way.
