5 Everton stars Koeman should give a chance

Everton’s start to the Premier League season under new boss Ronald Koeman was fantastic, in fact, a little too good to believe.

Indeed, now in December, the seams are coming unsewn and the side are with a mere one win in their last nine.

Fans are tearing their hair out at what can be done and with a number of players sat on the sideline dying for game time, Shoot! takes a look at which players deserve more of a chance ahead of The Toffees Premier League fixture at home to Manchester United on Sunday…

Mason Holgate

In terms of options at right-back, to say Everton are stretched would be an understatement.

Seamus Coleman has fulfilled the role for the past six seasons and played out of his skin in doing so.

However, whilst he remains one of the standout names on the team-sheet, the Irishman is becoming forever more error prone.

Youngster Mason Holgate began the season in the starting XI at centre-back, before the arrival of Ashley Williams confined him to a spot on the bench, and managed a clean sheet and assist in the opening three matches of the campaign.

For a 20-year-old, he is incredibly cool and unphased at the top level.

If Coleman continues to make mistakes, then why shouldn’t Koeman return to Holgate who is yet to let the first-team down?

Tom Cleverley

When Roberto Martinez brought Tom Cleverley to Goodison Park it was, and still is by some, greeted with a great sense of dubiousness.

He was never a starter at Manchester United and whilst his performances at Aston Villa were better, was he Everton level?

Ross Barkley’s nightmare campaign continues, granted there are moments of hope, but the majority of the time he is frustrating and loses possession far too easily.

His inconsistency has been well documented by the media and a period out of the limelight might well do the England international some good.

Cleverley does provide a consistency in the centre of the park and whilst that may not be breath-taking, it is just what the Toffees need right now.  

Enner Valencia

So far, Enner Valencia has been poor this term. The Ecuadorian has only managed one assist, not even a single goal, since his arrival in the summer from West Ham and must improve.

However, the desire is definitely there. He was quoted on the Everton website saying, “Hopefully I can play more games in this busy time over Christmas.

“I really want to be a part of the team and hopefully there will be a lot of rotation with players coming in and out.”

By no means should Romelu Lukaku be the man to make way to afford Valencia a chance.

The Belgian is the Toffees’ talisman and vital to any regain of form Koeman’s side manage.

What many fans are calling out for is a 4-4-2 system. The formation has worked well at clubs that have tried it out in recent seasons and the big Lukaku and nimble Valencia just might develop a potent pairing.

Tom Davies

After Southampton’s young starlet Josh Simms wowed Everton at the weekend, it might be time for Ronald Koeman to look into his own under-21 squad too.

One player who he could turn to is midfielder Tom Davies.

Davies is having a fantastic season for the youth squad at Goodison. He isn’t one to go and make headlines, but is a no frill midfielder who gets the job done.

He has come off the bench three times for the first-team so far this season and in his 25-minute cameo against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which Everton lost 5-0, he was labelled the side’s best performer.

Trusting the 18-year-old would be a risk, but the situation is getting to a point where risks must be taken.

Consistency and that bite of youth could breathe life into the side’s midfield.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Enner Valencia is the obvious option to add a spark up front, but 19-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin could also do the job.

Despite playing for the under-21s, the striker trains with the first-team squad and has spoken of learning from Romelu Lukaku’s abilities, “I look at his attributes and even though I might not be as big as him, I look at what I can take from his game and put into mine.”

He is clearly an option that Ronald Koeman is toying with. He was in the squad for the fixture against West Ham and has netted three goals and provided two assists so far this term for the under-21 side.

If Valencia continues to underwhelm, there’s no reason not to give Calvert-Lewin a chance.