If the Blues boss is left without Vitalii Myolenko or Adam Aznou, he may need to be creative again
Vitalii Mykolenko walks the tunnel for warm-ups prior to the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton. Photo by Kevin C. Cox - Premier League/Getty Images
Vitalii Mykolenko walks the tunnel for warm-ups prior to the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and Everton. Photo by Kevin C. Cox - Premier League/Getty Images
Jack Grealish could be in line for his first Everton start as the Blues look to breathe life into an attack that struggled at Leeds United. The 29-year-old made a 20-minute cameo on Monday night, with David Moyes eager to be cautious about introducing him to the full set-up after he missed most of Manchester City's pre-season fixture schedule.
But the England man could be the perfect player to introduce some magic to the first competitive game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
That may be useful, with the side struggling to cover the impact of injuries. Moyes was unsure whether Vitalii Mykolenko or Adam Aznou would be available for the clash with Brighton - meaning he could be set for another experimental line-up.
Both left back options were absent for the opening day trip to Leeds, forcing the Blues boss into a reshuffle that ended with James Garner adding a new position to the many he has covered while wearing Royal Blue.
The move was far from convincing, though it ultimately took a late, controversial penalty for the newly-promoted hosts to find a way through Everton.
Should Moyes be left with a similar conundrum on Sunday, he does have alternative options.
Garner’s withdrawal from central midfield left Everton swamped in the middle and it is tough to see a repeat of that scenario.
To prevent it, he could turn to Dwight McNeil, either as a left back or left wing back. While far from a perfect solution, McNeil would at least be playing on his natural side while it would allow Garner to rekindle his partnership with Idrissa Gueye.
Should he trust McNeil with the left back role it would allow Moyes to create a more coherent line-up for the first competitive game at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Jake O’Brien would likely remain at right back but Everton would have a solid base upon which to build, with Gueye and Garner providing protection to the back four.
That would give the attacking players the freedom to show more adventurethan was apparent at Elland Road, where Everton took 54 minutes to muster a first shot.
The lack of a natural right wing option would still be a source of consternation but Moyes could create a supporting cast of attacking midfielders that would provide help to Beto and offer some excitement.
Grealish could take up his preferred position on the left, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a central role and Ndiaye on the right.
While that would leave Ndiaye in an unfavoured position, the combination of attacking talent could at least offer some threat in an historic fixture.