Ronald Koeman replaced the sacked Roberto Martinez in the summer with the brief to get Everton back up near the European places.

And, 12 games into the Premier League season, he’s made a decent start in his bid to do just that.

The Toffees are seventh in the table having won five of their opening 12 matches, although they have stuttered of late, winning just one of their last seven.

Seamus Coleman’s late header rescued them a point from their game at home to struggling Swansea on Saturday and, alongside defeats at Burnley, Bournemouth, and Chelsea, it’s been a frustrating few weeks for Everton supporters.

This was all after a start of the season which showed real promise, given that Koeman’s men won four of their first five games, and looked defensively sound and deadly going forward.

However, the last few weeks have been a struggle, and Koeman will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways at Southampton on Sunday.

Everton’s solid start has increased speculation about who might be coming in and who might be leaving the club in January, with Koeman likely considering how best to improve his squad for the second half of the season.

Thus, here are TWO La Liga stars he should try and snap up in January…

Steven N’Zonzi

With Gareth Barry turning 36 in February, James McCarthy’s future at Goodison Park uncertain, and Darron Gibson’s injury concerns, Koeman may feel that he needs more strength in the midfield.

Thus, former Stoke man Steven N’Zonzi should be on his radar.

The Sevilla midfielder has been excellent since his move to Spain last year, and helped the club win a third consecutive Europa League title in May.

Football fans in England will know what N’Zonzi is about after his successful spells at Stoke and Blackburn, and it’s clear that he’d make a big difference to the Everton midfield, such is his strength, agility, and composure.

The Toffees were linked with a move for N’Zonzi back in October and, with increasing interest from several Premier League sides in the last few weeks, this would be one hell of a scalp for Koeman and his team if they can get a deal done for the former French Under-21 international.

Mikel Oyarzabal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVKF2O3fiSY

19-year-old Mikel Oyarzabal has been widely tipped to go and become a top-quality winger at Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.

The young left-sided midfielder shone in his debut season last time out in La Liga, netting six times in 21 appearances, including the only goal in their 1-0 win over Barcelona back in April.

Oyarzabal’s progression through the ranks is quite extraordinary, as he only played 10 times for the Sociedad B team before stepping up to the first team last year.

He’s clearly a youngster with enormous potential and, although he won’t come cheap, he could be a star at Everton for both the future, and indeed the present.