Everton have not been the busiest side this summer. But by the looks of it, Marco Silva has decided to go with quality over quantity and it is something which makes complete sense.
The Toffees completed the signing of Lucas Digne for £18m today. The former Barcelona fullback has put pen to paper on a 5-year deal.
He joins Richarlison in the list of summer arrivals. The Brazilian winger was previously signed for a whopping £40m. Both of them are expected to be regulars in the first team. Leighton Baines is strongly linked with a move away which will allow Digne to walk in at left-back.
Richarlison, on the other hand, will be starting in attack and it remains to be seen who misses out upon the 21-year-old’s introduction.
Wayne Rooney’s exit has made room in the attack and a number of fringe players will be looking to sort their future out in the coming week.
Let us take a look at how Silva is likely to roll out his starting XI when all the players will be ready and available.
STRONGEST EVERTON XI (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Jordan Pickford is the obvious choice to start in goal. The exceptional keeper had a good first season and an excellent World Cup. He will be eager to continue his form this season.
Seamus Coleman will be starting at right-back. He will hope to have an uninterrupted season this time around after his recent injury troubles.
The centre-back pairing is likely to consist of Michael Keane and Ashley Williams. Keane did not have the best of seasons last time around. But the Englishman will be raring to go under Silva. Williams is clearly on the wane now and is unlikely to start all the matches. Everton have been linked with central defenders this season and we might see a new face settling alongside Keane as the season wears on.
New signing, Lucas Digne will start as the left-back.
MIDFIELD
Morgan Schneiderlin is raring to go this season. The Frenchman does have a point to prove having failed to do justice to his talent till now at Goodison. Idrissa Gueye will partner him in a two-man midfield. The Senegalese provides the thrust in the centre of the park with his work-rate and constant running and harrying the opposition.
ATTACK
Silva has a job on his hands to pick his front four.
New signing Richarlison is sure to start. He will take up his preferred position on the left-wing and his link-up with Digne will be something to look out for.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is too good (and expensive) a player to not get a run in the team. He might take up the No.10 role. His passing ability and goal-scoring trait will come in handy if he can regain his form. Theo Walcott will be starting on the right-wing. The former Arsenal man had a pretty good end to last season. And while he has gone under the radar till now, he is another player who will be hoping for an uninterrupted season.
Everton have had their fair share of problems in the striking department. But Cenk Tosun will be starting the season up front and with the new and improved attack behind him and an impressive manager at the helm, the Turkish striker is expected to have a productive season.
