Many Everton fans again felt let down by Thierno Barry against West Ham – but David Moyes does have an unlikely alternative to use up top these remaining games.
Everton fell to a 2-1 defeat against the Hammers at London Stadium.
Barry led the line for Everton, with Beto unavailable after he got a head injury against Liverpool.
Who was Everton’s worst player in the defeat against West Ham? 🫣
West Ham United v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
This was far from ideal, with Beto one of the most in-form players in the Premier League right now from a goals and assists standpoint.
Frustratingly, Barry turned in another poor performance for Everton, and the lack of a quality alternative to Beto is a big worry.
But there is one player in the books at Everton who might just be an unlikely alternative to Beto.
Charly Alcaraz could be a false nine option for Everton
Charly Alcaraz of Everton carries the ball.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Barry has now gone six Premier League games without a goal.
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He has only started one of those games, but that’s because Beto has clearly been in better form of late.
It’s actually just one goal in his last 11 Premier League appearances, which is not the kind of form Everton need from him right now.
Potentially, Moyes now needs to start considering other players ahead of him, for when Beto is unavailable or needs taking off.
Tyrique George is someone who could play through the middle.
But it’s very clear Moyes doesn’t trust him to do that. The manager barely even trusts him to start in his natural position right now, despite some lively cameos.
But there’s also Charly Alcaraz who may offer Moyes an alternative solution.
It hasn’t really happened for him this season, due to a combination of other players being in form and injury.
But it perhaps shouldn’t be forgotten that Alcaraz has previously played as a false nine for Southampton (as per Giulia Bould via BBC Sport).
Granted, Alcaraz didn’t spend a huge amount of time playing this role. But he knows the ropes and could give Everton something different. It certainly feels like he could do no worse than Barry at the moment.
Who is to blame for this defeat, then? 😡
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Warren Little
Of course, Beto will surely come back into the team as soon as he’s declared fit to play.
But Moyes shouldn’t rule out calling on Alcaraz if Beto isn’t being effective in a game.
That said, while it would be great to see this, it does feel unlikely.
Moyes has almost exclusively used natural strikers up top throughout his career, and does favour a physical presence to lead the line.
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