Given they have conceded 32 goals in their 21 Premier League fixtures this season and only have three specialist senior centre-backs in their squad, you’d think that Everton’s transfer priority during the January window would be to bring in a new central defender.
That may well be how they see things too, with Sky Sports previously reporting that is something the Merseyside outfit would like to do, with Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake a potential target for the Toffees.
However, the 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on New Year’s Day suggested that they need to prioritise strengthening another position – also mentioned by Sky Sports – instead where they are sorely lacking right now.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti actually lined up with three central midfielders in Fabian Delph, Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson at the Etihad, but it proved to be a real weak area for the visitors as the Italian lost his 100% record from his opening two games at the helm.
None of the trio particularly impressed with The Liverpool Echo noting their lack of positional awareness for City’s goals, with none of the trio picking up more than a 5/10 rating.
Not one of them was seemingly comfortable enough to come and get the ball from the defenders against the current top flight holders, or offer enough creativity in central areas – something Sigurdsson in particular should be capable of doing.
Watch Everton Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
Failing to protect the defence enough or offer that threat going forward, it proved to be a real problem position for Everton.
Indeed, Sheffield United’s John Fleck showed just a few days earlier what was capable away at City with a stunning performance that saw him gain a 10/10 rating from the Sheffield Star, but there was nothing similar on show from Delph, Davies or Sigurdsson on Wednesday.
Of course, the Merseysiders are currently missing Morgan Schneiderlin, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Andre Gomes through injury, and they are players – especially the latter two – who could make a difference in the middle.
It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?
However, Everton won’t want to rush either back given they suffered serious injuries, with Gbamin needing surgery on his thigh and Gomes seriously fracturing his ankle at the beginning of November.
Therefore bringing in a new central midfielder – a loan deal could work – looks to be needed this month.
If they have the ability to dictate the play and also offer an attacking threat that would be a bonus, as well as being a leader from a defensive point of view – something the Toffees have been missing since Idrissa Gueye’s departure.
A lot to ask for then, but it should be a priority for Everton if they want to continue moving up the Premier League table under Ancelotti.
In other Everton news, Toffees fans have not reacted well to an update ahead of their FA Cup third-round tie with Liverpool…
