David Moyes looks on.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Everton are hosting Chelsea this weekend, and David Moyes has a lot to think about ahead of the clash.
After drawing 2-2 with Hull City last weekend, the Toffees are keen to get back to winning ways. But standing in their way of three points are a dangerous attacking outfit.
Under Xabi Alonso, Chelsea have been a scary outfit up to now, plundering 15 goals so far. Five of those came in their last game against Bournemouth.
But Everton have been relatively sound defensively, although the backline looked a bit more vulnerable against Hull. But arguably the biggest reason for that was because Jarrad Branthwaite was playing at left-back – which simply cannot happen this weekend.
What’s your honest position on Thierno Barry at the moment? 10 big chances missed in the PL, but six goals across all competitions. It's fair to say he divides opinion at Everton, but Dewsbury-Hall is a fan…👀
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Gary Oakley – Everton FC/Everton FC
Yet to be convinced by him. Hes doing alright but still very wasteful. Id love to see a more experienced striker to help him even if it was someone like Big Dunc brought in to help with his training.
Yeah he’s well on course to smash last season’s numbers. Lots to like, just needs that conviction and consistency doesn’t he
He will smash kastvyears stats and moving forward will improve…..they all miss chances
Jarrad Branthwaite must play centre-back for Everton amid Joao Pedro threat
Prior to the game with Hull, Branthwaite had been brilliant for Everton. Against the Tigers though he did not look comfortable at left-back. And not only did he not look comfortable, the middle of Everton’s defence also suffered.
Moyes breaking up the Tarkowski-Branthwaite partnership was a questionable move, and he now needs to unleash it again this weekend against Chelsea. Especially when data suggests Everton are better when Tarkowski and Branthwaite play in the middle together.
We don’t yet know if Vitalii Mykolenko will be fit for the game. But if he isn’t, then Moyes should go with someone like James Garner or Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back.
Not having Branthwaite in the middle against Chelsea feels like too big a risk against a side with such firepower. At the moment, Joao Pedro in particular is in fantastic form, having scored five goals and made three assists in the Premier League. He has the best conversion rate of any player with at least five attempts.
Jarrad Branthwaite metric Everton squad rank
Minutes played – 540 =1
Accurate long balls per 90 – 2.5 1
Blocks per 90 – 1.8 1
Clearances per 90 – 6.0 1
Interceptions per 90 – 1.8 2
Defensive actions per 90 – 10.7 3
The Evening Standard report that some data companies suggest he has been the best player in the league so far this season.
So Branthwaite moving back into the middle, where he’s been so dominant, is probably sensible. He quickly needs to shake off what was his worst performance of the season against Hull.
Surprisingly, Pedro has actually never scored against Everton in his career. And putting Branthwaite back alongside Tarkowski is surely a move that will help to preserve that statistic.
Ideally, Mykolenko will be back fit and available for this game, because that will then remove any temptation for Moyes to do what he did against Hull.