Richarlison has gotten off to an impressive start with Everton this season (Photo credit: Evertonfc.com)
Evertonians right to see positivity after moderate start
By Renny Thomas
With the offseason overhaul of the roster and the introduction of Marco Silva as the new man in charge, the early part of the Everton season was always going to be time of transition for the club. After eight matches on the young season, the results of the season so far has shown the difficulty of this transition.
Currently, in 11th place, Everton were marred by early draws against the likes of Bournemouth, Wolves and Huddersfield. However, lately the club is starting to show small strides towards the sort of attack minded, free flowing style that Silva is trying to instill in the club. As the Toffees head into a pivotal portion of their season, let’s take a look at why there are signs for hope after the first eight games of the season:
Gylfi Sigurdsson
With six goals, Gylfi Sigurdsson had a solid if not spectacular start to his Everton career last season but in most Evertonians’ minds, he did not live up to the £40 million transfer fee that the club paid for him last year.
With five goals in his six appearances on the season, Sigurdsson has been everything the team had hoped for this season and more in season two. Silva has been able to tap into the Icelandic midfielder’s keen, creative instincts to not only score almost as many goals this season, as he did all of last season, but also become of the premier league’s best chance creators as well. His ability to link up with other attacking players like Richarlison, Bernard and Theo Walcott should prove vital for Everton’s campaign for a top seven finish this season.
Richarlison
When Everton splashed out £35 million for 21 year old Richarlison during this summer’s transfer period, there were many eyebrows raised at the signing. The Brazilian forward was a player with plenty of skill and size but very little to show for it on the scoresheet.
Seventeen minutes into his debut for the Merseyside club, the questions regarding his transfer were laid to rest, with two goals in Everton’s opening match against Wolves.
Despite a very foolish red card in a match against Bournemouth, Richarlison has been every bit the attacking player that the club had hoped for. With four goals on the young season, the former Watford man has acclimated himself to his new club quite well.
With his pace and toughness (the Brazilian was the most fouled player in the premier league last season), the Toffees hope they finally have the goal scoring threat up front that has been missing since Romelu Lukaku left the club.
Lucas Digne
The £18 million transfer fee that Everton paid Barcelona this transfer season for the French left back may be one of the league’s best bargains, as Digne has been terrific this season.
Through four appearances this season, the former Barcelona player has been the very definition of a modern fullback, combining his stout defense with a terrific ability to push the ball forward and pressure opposing defenses. As a defender, Digne has been effective at defusing opposing attacks with a rate of 2.4 interceptions and 1.6 blocked passes per 90 minutes, both rates are near the top of the Premier League for eligible left backs.
In attack, Digne has been equally as effective, especially at delivering key service to Everton’s attacking quartet of Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Bernard and Walcott. At the age of 33, Leighton Baines looks to be on the downslope of his career, and Everton seems to have found their plan moving forward in Lucas Digne.
While Everton has gotten off to an uneven start so far this season, there are plenty of reasons for positivity at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have shown marked improvement over the past two weeks and continue to carry that momentum into important fixtures against Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Everton’s hopes for a top six finish are within reach and as they continue to become more accustomed to Silva’s style of play, Everton supporters should be excited for what the future will bring.
