This is Everton’s dream January defence including these key targets

Despite winning four of their first five Premier League games, things haven’t been plain sailing for Ronald Koeman since taking over at Everton in the summer.

The Dutchman replaced the sacked Roberto Martinez in the summer after a disappointing campaign last time out, with the brief to get the Toffees back up near the European spots.

And, 13 games in, they are there or thereabouts, but their recent form suggests that they might not be there for much longer.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

They have won just one of their last eight Premier League games, and their poor performance away at Southampton on Sunday was indicative of a side low on confidence and struggling to break a rut.

This is all after a start to the season which had many Everton fans optimistic about the campaign ahead, as they won four of their opening five matches and sat second in the league behind Manchester City on September 17.

Koeman knows that they must improve in the next few games and, with January fast approaching, many are speculating on who the Dutchman could look to sign to bolster his squad so that they do finish in the top six come May.

One area that might need improving is the back four, so here is the dream Everton defence, including two key January targets…