Everton: Who should stay and who should be sold this summer?

It’s been a turbulent season at Goodison Park. The side have put in some first rate displays but some costly defensive errors have left them languishing in mid-table.

Young starlets have emerged and taken the first-team by storm but other more experienced players are struggling for form. Already fans are voicing their opinions about who should stay and who should go…

Tim Howard – Sell

Howard has been a fantastic servant to the club and deserves a lot of respect. However, it is true that he is becoming more and more error prone and seems to be losing control over the back four. That said, fans chanting for Joel Robles whilst the American is on the pitch is shameful in my opinion. Its been a fantastic eight years at the club but the time has come for the 36-year-old to move on.

Joel Robles – Keep

Robles is quickly become a fan’s favourite on Merseyside. The 25-year-old has been battling with Howard for playing time this season, only making three Premier League appearances, but when he has played his shot-stopping ability has been phenomenal. His penalty save against Bournemouth on Saturday being his latest heroic. With Howard’s powers starting to wane, Robles is the long-term solution.

Joel Robles signed for Everton back in July 2013, rejoining former Wigan manager Roberto Martínez, on Merseyside.

Seamus Coleman – Keep

One of the outstanding players in the Everton side. The £60,000 man is one of the best full-backs in the league and is reported to be highly sought after. There is no chance that the club could attract a better player in his position. Keep.

Ramiro Funes Mori – Keep

Signed last summer from River Plate, Ramiro Funes Mori is fast developing into a very effective centre-back. He is commanding both in defence and when attacking set plays, connecting with 11 and scoring from two in the league this season. I believe that Funes Mori has all the necessary abilities to develop into a world-class defender. Keep.

Phil Jagielka – Sell

Perhaps slightly controversial, but in my opinion it is time for Jagielka to move on. His leadership has always been important but, now 33-years-old, he is struggling with niggling injuries. With Funes Mori and John Stones looking increasingly astute, I don’t think Jagielka will be able to make the starting eleven week in week out for much longer. Sell.

John Stones – Keep

Stones is attracting more and more attention with his rather unique and risky style of play. He can be a little unaware at the back sometimes, but a little more nurturing will fix that. If Everton can keep him on the books this summer, after all he tried to force a move away last year, they have a superstar on their hands. Keep.

Brendan Galloway – Keep

Another up and coming defender, Galloway is lightning quick and up for any fight. He has taken to the Premier League with relative ease this term and is another who has bags of potential. Keep.

Leighton Baines – Sell

It’s a similar situation to that of Jagielka, there just isn’t space for Leighton Baines any more. He will face more and more competition for his starting berth next season with Galloway and Tyias Browning impressing. Fans always thought that the full-back was vital to the side but it is fair to say he was not missed as much as expected when sidelined at the start of the season. Sell.

Baines has been restricted to just eight Premier League appearances this campaign.

Tyias Browning – Keep

Browning will compete with Galloway for that left-back role and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Browning is also very versatile and can fill in at centre-back. Keep.

Tony Hibbert – Sell

He’s still here? Sell.

Ross Barkley – Keep

Barkley is becoming more and more of an empowering force in the midfield. He drives the side forward and has that feistiness that the team lacks. He has already notched 12 goals and eight assists this term! If he was sold, the Everton fans would be far from happy. Keep.

Gerard Deulofeu – Keep

Deulofeu has been a revelation this season. He has matured so much since his loan stint at the club two years ago. The Spaniard now supplies pinpoint balls into the box and is a constant menace for defenders. Keep.

Gareth Barry – Keep

A lot of Everton fans are not so keen on the midfielder but he does the dirty job for the Blues and deserves more credit. He can be reckless at times but makes some vital tackles. He deserves another season at least. Keep.

Tom Cleverley – Keep

Some Evertonians have taken to Cleverley, some haven’t. Personally, I am not convinced. However, he is a good squad player to have in the side. The 26-year-old always works hard and can string some good passes together. Keep.

Aaron Lennon – Keep

Lennon’s move to Everton, which was made permanent in the summer, has revitalised his career. His dynamism and incredible acceleration are skills that would help any side. The winger sometimes lacks end product but it would be foolish to let him go. Keep.

James McCarthy – Keep

Just like Barry, McCarthy does the work that goes unnoticed. The Scotsman has won a solid 53% of his tackles this season and has also made 75 recoveries. The ex-Wigan man is a vital cog in the Everton machine. Keep.

Toffee midfielders Ross Barkley (L) and James McCarthy (R).

Kevin Mirallas – Sell

Mirallas has been frozen out of the side this season, unexpectedly so, and against many fans’ wishes. Mirallas had been one of the first names on the teamsheets until recently and was a fan’s favourite. I believe he could still do a job for the side but if he isn’t going to play, it would be harsh to keep him at the club. Sell.

Bryan Oviedo – Sell

Oviedo has recently signed a new contract at the club but I fail to see him making a substantial impact on the first-team. Given, he is versatile and able to play at full-back and as a winger. His broken leg was also an unfortunate setback. However, does he add enough to the club to warrant being on the wage bill? I don’t think so. Sell.

Leon Osman – Sell

Osman has been at the club a very long time, over 10 years, but the time to move on has come. The midfielder has only started one Premier League game this term and has a mere six appearances to his name. He deserves a lot of praise for what he has given to the club but he is no longer needed. Sell.

Muhamed Besic – Keep

Besic is the kind of player that all fans take to their hearts. He is; I believe, the hardest working player in the side and never shies out of a tackle. The Bosnian is the successor to Barry. Keep.

Steven Pienaar – Keep

Should he get back to full fitness then Pienaar can once again become an indispensable first-team player. The 33-year-old is a creative force and loves the club. It’s all a question of fitness. Keep.

Darron Gibson – Sell

Forever injured, Gibson has only managed 42 minutes in the Premier League this season. He was once a bulldog in the centre of the park but just isn’t worth his wage now. Sell.

Belgium international Romelu Lukaku is Everton’s top goalscorer this term with 21 goals in all competitions.

Romelu Lukaku – Keep

Striker extraordinaire, Lukaku is the stand out player in the side. With 16 league goals to his name already this term, it will be more of a question of if the Toffees can keep hold of their talisman. Keep.

Arouna Kone – Keep

Kone has shown flashes of quality this season and is a useful back-up to Romelu Lukaku. Until Oumar Niasse has proved his ability, the Ivorian must be kept simply as there is a shortage of other attacking options. Keep.

Oumar Niasse – Keep

He has just arrived at Goodison and his cameo against Bournemouth on Saturday was his first appearance. However, the 25-year-old looks physical enough to cut it in the English top-flight. Keep.