Our Everton writers select one player they feel should take the pitch in Sean Dyche’s struggle to stay in the Premier League.
Which player do you think will improve the most when Everton returns to action for the last 10 Premier League games of the season? They are presently away at their Portuguese training camp.
The opinions of the ECHO sportsdesk members are heard.
Chris Beesley – We’re entitled to demand more from Onana
Although Amadou Onana is a tremendous talent, I’m by no means the only one who has seen that he has to be contributing more to this Everton team.
After observing the Belgium international up close at Old Trafford, Everton’s statistician Gavin Buckland—who I hope won’t take too much objection when I refer to him as a “wise, old sage” on Goodison Park matters—summed it up nicely in the most recent Royal Blue podcast. “He has all the ability in the world, but those histrionics he does during games, waving his arms around, don’t really help with that image that he’s not taking the responsibility he should do as a gifted midfielder in a struggling team,” the man stated. He ought to be exerting more effort and sprinting with the ball more frequently than he currently does.
Every word Gav says is spot on, and Michael Ball—another native Everton who got to play for his favourite club—is also speaking from the same hymn book. “I’m challenging him to stay in games more and to not let them pass him by,” he said this week in his ECHO column. “I’m harsh on him like I was harsh on Lukaku and Richarlison because they’re the big players, the match-winners, and Onana should be in the same category,” he continued. His skill, power, and presence should be used to dictate games.
Jordan Pickford had to save him at the other end of the pitch after he let up a careless free-kick just outside the box. As others have noted, Onana is so talented that we have every right to expect more from him. Whether or not he wants to play on a larger platform, he must put himself first in order to ensure Everton’s safety in the Premier League.
Matt Jones – Garner getting away with it
James Garner is among several Everton players who appear to be the most worn out as the team has been reduced to pieces by an extremely demanding season.
The former Manchester United midfielder was a welcome change of pace to begin the current campaign after missing the majority of the previous one due to injury. He gave Everton’s midfield play more energy and intensity when he shifted off the right flank.
That intensity has decreased and weakened after a superb display in a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
Garner’s awful corner late in the game against West Ham United, when Everton was chasing an equaliser, may have been the clearest example of his current slump. His feeble attempt was a sign of a worn-out player, and the visitors launched a counterattack to win the match.
When Garner performs at his peak, he can offer the Everton team something unique. He was regarded as an exceptional ball-striker while he was at Forest, able to affect the game with precise set-piece deliveries or powerful long-range strikes. These days, royal blue seldom ever has those moments.
Amadou Onana’s international stature and connections to elite clubs make him a demanding player in the Everton midfield. Though it’s not always channelled, the skill is evident and more is expected of him on a regular basis.
But Garner needs to do better, particularly if he wants to be the first choice in the starting lineup when Idrissa Gueye returns to full fitness. His decline in form has gone mostly unnoticed.
Paul Wheelock – A break will hopefully do him the world of good
Before I reveal my player, a few disclaimers. He’s not the only player on Sean Dyche’s team that isn’t performing up to his prior standards and doesn’t appear to be getting enough rest. Moreover, he appeared to have recovered quickly from what, happily, proved to be a minor wound. Additionally, it demonstrates the depth of his character that he has maintained his role while helping his partner through her illness.
However, Dwight McNeil needs to step up, just like he did a year ago, if Everton is to avoid relegation once again. With less than a minute remaining, the winger scored his third goal for the team to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brentford at home, almost a year to the day. Along with Abdoulaye Doucoure, he scored four more goals in a thrilling 5-1 victory over Brighton. He was undoubtedly the highlight of the Blues’ thrilling but successful fight against relegation.
With just two goals this season, McNeil will need to step up big time when Everton takes the pitch against Bournemouth on 30 March if he wants to match the total he scored in his first season at Goodison Park. I hope he gets a lot out of this respite in Portugal.
Through no fault of his own, including Sean Dyche’s unwillingness to give Arnaut Danjuma a chance right away prior to the Villarreal loanee’s tragic injury, McNeil has been below form for some time. Maybe there aren’t enough alternatives for Dyche to bench McNeil, or maybe he believes he can’t afford to rest a player who is the team’s top goal scorer, especially from set-pieces.
However, with the Merseyside derby postponed and the international break coming up this weekend, it’s possible that Dyche has lost control of the situation and McNeil will return to Bournemouth rejuvenated and prepared to spearhead another survival push. The Blues must have him.
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