How to fix Everton (Part 4) - goalkeeper and defence

If you've made it through parts 1, 2 and 3 you'll see that this isn't a "the manager is useless" sort of article. It is looking at how you go from where Everton are now to where Everton want to be as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Marcel Brands and Marco Silva have inherited a bloated and unbalanced squad unsuited to the style of football they want to play.

Both Silva and Brands have favoured 4-3-3 with attacking width and fast breaks.

The current squad is unsuited to that so for the next few years we'll see the transition to that style as previous signings are managed out the squad.

Goalkeeper and Defence

I've only looked at midfield and attack so far as I feel the current options (except for right back) are of a good age and don't require major changes to fit in with the proposed style. But just for completeness.


Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper - fairly obvious but I'll add in the ability to set up fast attacks on the break.
Current option: Jordan Pickford
Reserves: Marteen Stekelenburg
First choice keeper is young and talented enough, might need to look at reserve keeper.

Fullback

Fullbacks - I think we've seen the model of what Silva wants from a fullback with the Lucas Digne move. They need to be able to cover the whole flank and create opportunities from crosses - Digne having produced the most crosses of any player this season.
Current options- Digne
Reserves: Baines (6 months left), Robinson
Current option: Coleman
Reserves: Kenny, Martina (18 months left)
Digne is clearly a long term option. Seamus Coleman has been a great player for us but the injury seems to have robbed some of his explosiveness. Given the demands Silva's system puts on a fullback to dominate their flank it might be wise to look at someone like Reece James (Chelsea, on loan at Wigan) or Youcef Atal to provide that energy. For more on Atal read this.

Centre back

Centre back - in a high pressing system the idea is to force your opponent into sloppy use of the ball where your dominant centre backs clear up any balls launched into your half. The better pressing teams also like some footballing ability with their centre backs so they can launch attacks and break defensive lines with their passing.
Current options - Mina, Keane, Zouma (loan)
Reserves - Holgate, Jagielka (6 months), Williams (6 months)
Centre back has gone from major weakness to relative strength with the arrivals of Mina and Zouma. Whilst not perfect, and occasionally error prone the signings make sense given the style of football we are aiming for.


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