A look at the potential changes to the starting 11 that David Moyes could make for Everton's final home game of the season against Sunderland
David Moyes could have a selection dilemma for the final home game of Everton’s historic first season at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Sunderland on Sunday.
The Blues boss has been without Idrissa Gueye for the last couple of matches – the 3-3 draw against Manchester City and the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace – but speaking in the pre-match press conference for the latter, he insisted that the Senegal international was not far off making a return.
Moyes said: “He’s fine. He’s not training yet but he’s fine, it’s not a serious injury, so we hope he’ll be back soon.”
Tim Iroegbunam has deputised during Gueye’s absence, but Moyes could have a decision to make against the Black Cats over who is in the engine room alongside James Garner, unless he decides to move the frontrunner for Everton’s player of the season award to right-back again.
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Blues centre-back pairing of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have come under fire for their defensive displays in recent weeks, despite a goal and assist at Selhurst Park from the former, so Jake O’Brien could be potentially moved into the middle to what is his natural position.
Out on the wings, there are plenty of options as Iliman Ndiaye has struggled for form since his goal was disallowed in the Merseyside Derby while despite providing the assist for Everton’s third goal against Manchester City, rookie wide man Merlin Rohl failed to stop Tyrick Mitchell’s cross to Jean-Philippe Mateta for Crystal Palace’s second equaliser.
The likes of Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling, Dwight McNeil, Harrison Armstrong and Charly Alcaraz are all potential alternatives with the latter trio also alternatives to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – who like Ndiaye was misfiring at Selhurst Park – in the number 10 role.
Despite Thierno Barry’s brace off the bench against Pep Guardiola’s side, Beto retained his place as the Blues starting striker against the Eagles and rewarded Moyes with another hard-working display and well-taken goal, so he appears in pole position to spearhead the attack again for the Black Cats’ visit.
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