Everton seems to have gotten back their winning flair as the Toffees now sit seventh in the league table and although there is a five points gap that separates them from Manchester United, their next few fixtures suggest that they are likely to close it.
Everton are yet to lose a game in Premier League in 2017 and Koeman has used his signings to great effect in recent matches. The Dutch manager was seen using the wing backs against the struggling Crystal Palace and although it didn’t have any real impact for the most part of the game, the right wing-back Seamus Coleman successfully broke the deadlock in the dying minutes.
While having the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Gareth Barry, Ross Barkley and James McCarthy certainly make Everton’s midfield quite rich and thick, one cannot help but notice the fragile back three Koeman has currently. Of course, Koeman wouldn’t play all attack against sharp opponents with wing-backs, but with Funes Mori, Ashley Williams and Mason Holgate as centre-halves, Koeman is unlikely to protect his goal well.
Phil Jagielka has fallen down the pecking order and with former Everton manager David Moyes, who had actually brought him to Goodison Park back in 2007, eyeing to bring him to the Stadium Light, Koeman is likely to let him leave. And according to reports, he is planning to use the cash from his sale to bring in forgotten Chelsea star, Branislav Ivanovic.
The Serbian international has also fallen down the pecking order since the return of David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. Under new manager Antonio Conte, he has managed to make only thirteen appearances, of which seven were from the bench. The 32-year-old still has a good two years left in him and just doesn’t fit Conte’s grand scheme of things.
Since his move to Chelsea from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2007, he has been a key player for Chelsea at the back and things have gone south only after their dismal finish in the 10th position last season. The full-back, who can easily play in the centre-half position has won all major trophies with Chelsea- one UEFA Champions League, two English Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one EFL Cup.
With 376 Premier League games under his belt, where he has scored 32 times and assisted 33, his invaluable experience could be a huge asset for the Everton backline. His contract runs out in June next month and Everton are in for a real cut-price deal if they make a timely move.
