After years of mismanagement, haphazard spending and recruitment and questionable managerial appointments, Everton sunk into two relegation battles in as many seasons. They again found themselves embroiled in a relegation battle following 2021-22’s great escape in the penultimate game, and this time needed a final-day win.
The Toffees edged away Bournemouth 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to a wonder strike from Abdoulaye Doucoure, thus, ensuring Sean Dyche’s first five months at Everton didn’t end in a disaster.
Sean Dyche took over the Toffees side from Frank Lampard in January, but wasn’t able to guide them to safety, needing the final day to get the job done. After scrapping survival yet again, Everton have serious issues to address on and off the pitch if they are to avoid a relegation battle for the third straight year.
On that note, here are three areas the Merseyside outfit should improve on next term.
- Scoring goals
With the second-fewest goals (34) scored in the 2022/23 season, Everton are in need of a solution in attack that is likely to involve dipping into the transfer market. They netted only 18 goals from open play—the third-lowest in the top flight—with only Wolves and Southampton scoring fewer. (Stats courtesy: WhoScored)
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin enduring another injury-hit season and Ellis Simms not yet ready to lead the attack, Everton must dip in the transfer market for a new striker. A goal threat from wide areas would also be beneficial next season.
Dyche and Everton have the entire summer transfer window ahead of them, and they need to do their utmost to make sure the club are not returning next term having to fight a relegation battle.
- Defending
Everton’s problem lies deeper than just scoring goals. While they were given the “best defence in the league” tag after conceding just seven times across their first eight games of the season under Dyche’s predecessor Lampard, their overall numbers at the back paints a far sadder picture.
The Toffees conceded 57 goals, of which 34 came from open play. Injuries to key players and suspensions, that led to the chopping and changing of the personnel, contributed to their defensive instability. This deficiency extends to defending set pieces as well, with 8 of the 34 goals conceded from dead-ball situations.
Certainly, the focus has to be given to the attacking play, but Dyche must lay a strong foundation at the back next season as Everton’s leaky defence could upset any chance of progression.
- Away from
On their travels, Everton had a dire record—an issue that Dyche must address if they are to stay away from the dreaded drop zone next year.
The Toffees won just twice in 19 Premier League away games, scoring 18, conceding 30 and collecting 15 points. Dyche’s last five games away from home brought one win, three draws and a loss.
Dyche’s work of saving the Merseyside club from relegation is widely acknowledged but the away form remains a blind spot that will preclude Everton from progressing and challenging for the top half next year if not thoroughly addressed.
