Everton are preparing for their opening fixture of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace this weekend.
David Moyes certainly has some difficult decisions to make when it comes to his first starting XI of the season for Everton this weekend vs Crystal Palace.
An injury to James Garner has certainly weakened Everton's midfield options, but the Toffees have strengthened in the middle of the park during the summer transfer window.
Christian Norgaard is yet to feature since his move to the club, but Hayden Hackney has been a key figure during pre-season over the last few weeks.
Everton are yet to bring in a new right-back, but with Merlin Rohl impressing in the role, could he be in with a chance of a start this weekend?
Tyler Dibling is beginning to impress, but Tyrique George has also looked sharp.
There are some tough decisions for Moyes to make, but here is the team I'd go with.
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Goalkeeper - Jordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford returned from the World Cup last week and was thrown straight between the sticks as Everton faced Lille.
The least contentious decision this one, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet.
Right-back - Merlin Rohl
Perhaps a controversial decision, but I’d be sticking Merlin Rohl at right-back. I think he profiles pretty well as a right-back despite being a midfielder.
He’s more comfortable on the ball than Jake O’Brien, and he’s shown a lot of threat down the right-hand side in the final third. He likes to carry the ball, helps his winger in the opposition half by bombing on, and has a fantastic delivery on him.
Rohl is also deceptively quick, and I genuinely believe he’s our best right-back at the moment.
Centre-backs - James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite
I’m fairly torn on this one. I’d like to see an O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite partnership this season, but it just feels incredibly unlikely that it’s not even worth thinking about.
Moyes clearly favours Tarkowski, and there’s a strong chance he captains the side, so it’s likely to be a Tarkowski and Branthwaite partnership.
Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters
I do think we need a bit of experience in the team as it is something we lack without him on the pitch. Like I said, I’m very torn, but I’m thinking Tarkowski maybe edges it over O’Brien.
Left-back - Vitalii Mykolenko
I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for Adam Aznou to start, and I’ve been desperate to see more of him, but I don’t think he should be starting every week in the Premier League.
I’ve been calling for Everton to sign a new left-back to allow Aznou to head out on loan, as there are some weaknesses to his game. That’s expected at his age.
He undoubtedly deserves more minutes than he’s received so far in his Everton career, but I do think it’s right to have Mykolenko starting.
In an ideal world, Mykolenko is the backup and Aznou is out on loan, but with a more attack-minded right-back in Rohl on the pitch, having a more defensive full-back on the other side makes sense.
Central midfield - Harrison Armstrong and Hayden Hackney
I do have concerns about this midfield partnership out of possession, and it’s certainly not ideal, but I think these are the two I’d go for.
Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters
Norgaard hasn’t played a lot of football and seems to have been carrying a small injury, so it feels unlikely he’s going to be ready to start. Harrison Armstrong and Hackney have impressed during pre-season, and with Tim Iroegbunam and Garner injured, it seems the most likely duo.
If Norgaard isn’t ready, then you’re left with little choice, really.
Right-wing - Tyler Dibling
I’ve been seriously impressed with Dibling over the last few games, and although this is another potentially controversial decision, I feel it gives Everton the best balance.
I personally prefer Ndiaye on the left-hand side, and he’s also more capable of dealing with the lack of support behind him. This allows our right-winger to be a natural right-winger in Dibling, rather than playing Ndiaye on the right-hand side to fit George in.
Dibling has looked a different player over the last few weeks. More confident, stronger, braver. It’s a tough call as George has impressed me too, but I think a combination of Ndiaye and Dibling offers Everton some good balance.
Attacking midfield - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Like Pickford, a fairly obvious one this. He’s one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment, and it’ll be a huge shock if he’s not starting.
Another short and sweet one.
Left-wing - Iliman Ndiaye
Again, pretty self-explanatory due to my comments on Dibling.
Ndiaye simply has to start, and he looked back to his best against Lille on the left-hand side. George might feel hard done by, but he could be a really strong option off the bench against tired legs.
Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters
Centre-forward - Thierno Barry
An easy one for me. Thierno Barry has enjoyed a really strong pre-season. He looks sharper, stronger, and his link-up play has massively improved.
This is the player we should be showing faith in, as I’ve previously mentioned. He’s not perfect and has a lot to improve, but keep the faith.
Beto has had plenty of chances over the last few years. You know what you’re getting with Beto, but based on pre-season and the fact Barry is a younger option who is more likely to improve, it’s the latter who should be starting.