Everton analysis – Sporting striker sends transfer message as Sean Dyche hints at surprise Fulham selection
Viktor Gyokeres sends transfer reminder
So far this summer, we’ve heard that former Everton coach Gary Brabin told his old club to sign David Raya during his time at Blackburn Rovers. Then, when it comes to forwards, it has been a case of the ones that got away.
Everton explored signing Rodrigo and Moussa Dembele earlier this summer, but both have now moved to Saudi Arabia. Rodrigo joined Al Rayyan from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee, while Dembele signed for Al-Ettifaq after he left Olympique Lyonnais following the conclusion of his contract.
Then, last weekend, it was confirmed that El Bilal Toure had opted to join Atalanta after being the subject of interest from Everton. The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in Europe after scoring seven times in 21 games for Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia’s side last season.
But while all the focus was rightly on Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, another No.9 on the pitch also impressed.
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Viktor Gyokeres is a player who has long been linked with a move to Merseyside from Coventry City. Interest in the Sweden international first emerged last year heading into the January transfer window, but fighting for promotion to the top-flight at the time, Coventry chiefs made it clear that unless a huge offer came in for the forward, he would be going nowhere.
However, following the Robbins’ play-off final heartbreak back in May, it immediately became clear that Gyokeres was set to leave the Championship club this summer. Plenty of speculation then emerged linking Everton with a move for the 25-year-old, but in the end, he made the move to Lisbon.
But here against the Blues, Gyokeres showed he would have been the perfect addition to Sean Dyche’s squad this summer. Fast, strong and with the ability to play with his back to goal, the forward certainly gave the Everton backline plenty to think about.
However, it wasn’t just his hold-up play that impressed. The forward also showed that he has the ability to assist, twice setting up team-mates during the opening 45 minutes. On both occasions, Pedro Gocalves and Geny Catamo should have done better. Only a superb stop from Jordan Pickford also prevented him from opening the scoring.
In the short-term, it could well be another case of another one who got away for Everton. But in the long-term, you would like to hope that Gyokeres is a player the Blues continue to monitor, as he certainly showed here that he has all the attributes to become a top centre-forward.
Amadou Onana shows two sides of his game
It was midway through the first-half when Amadou Onana clearly decided he had had enough.
As his side laboured in possession in their own half, the midfielder picked up the ball inside his own half and charged up the pitch. In the end, it was his decision-making that cost him.
Instead of letting fly at goal, the Belgium international decided to pass the ball to team-mate Alex Iwobi, who eventually saw his cutback cut out. In many ways, it was classic Onana.
There is no doubt that he has the ability to do something out of nothing and have a real influence on games. But he also showcases flashes of naivety.
Midway through the second half, he also rattled the post with an effort from range that came from nothing. In fact, it came as a result of Onana’s own hard work.
But in the minutes that followed, we saw the other side of Onana. First, he was booked for a rash challenge in the middle of the pitch.
Then, with his side under pressure, he failed to clear the ball inside his own box, presenting Sporting with an opportunity. It would come to nothing, but in the Premier League, you suspect Everton and Onana could have been punished.
Heading into this summer, there was plenty of speculation about Onana’s future, with Chelsea and Manchester United being linked with him. However, nothing has materialised from that.
Onana very much remains the unfinished product and a work in progress, but one thing is clear: if Everton manage to fine-tune him over the coming weeks and months, then they have one hell of a player on their hands.
Fulham selection hint dropped with James Garner role
James Garner is a man who is no stranger to playing out of position.
After a torrid start to his Everton career, the midfielder, signed from Manchester United last summer, came into his own towards the end of last season.
So much so that he ended the campaign as not only one of Everton’s best performers but also one of their most important. That was due to the fact that he had the ability to play in multiple positions.
Naturally a centre-midfielder, Garner played out wide in the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers before starting the must-win clash against Bournemouth eight days later at right-back as injuries took their toll on Sean Dyche’s threadbare squad.
And after helping Everton preserve their Premier League status, Garner jetted off to help England under-21s become European Champions. He did so by playing right-back for Lee Carsley’s side.
And here against Sporting CP at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, a major hint was dropped that the 22-year-old could be about to start the new season out of position as injuries once again take their toll.
Dwight McNeil, after limping off injured against Stoke City last weekend, and Arnaut Danjuma, who picked up a knock in training in the build-up to this game, were both absent from Everton’s matchday squad. And with Demarai Gray set to leave the club, Dyche’s options out wide were limited.
That led him to turn to Garner as he started on the right side of midfield. It was another composed display from the former United man, and one imagines he is set to once again be asked to do a job out of position for his side against Marco Silva’s side next weekend.
Ben Godfrey the latest to audition
So far this summer, Ben Godfrey has found his game time limited. It may only be pre-season, but he hasn’t exactly been given the opportunity to show Sean Dyche what he can do.
Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were both given the nod to start against Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City. And against the Potters at the Bet365 Stadium last Saturday, it was Jarrad Branthwaite who was selected to come off the bench.
Godfrey, instead, was an unused substitute. And the amount of fitness work he did afterwards was enough to suggest that the decision was not fitness-based.
But after featuring against AC Monza in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday afternoon, Godfrey was given another chance by Dyche to show what he can do during the first-half here.
And in many ways, it was a typical Godfrey performance. The defender did a lot of things well, and his pace and power are also attributes that Everton need at the back; however, there are also times when he just does the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Whether his display was enough to force his way into Dyche’s thinking will only become clear when team news for the Fulham game drops at 2pm on Saturday.