Everton – Season Preview 2019/20

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The Toffees will be looking to continue their progression under the guidance of Marco Silva.

Everton boasted an impressive defensive record last season but must add more goals to their game if they are to trouble the league’s top teams.

Last season

Everton finished eighth in the Premier League last season as manager Marco Silva tried to enforce his brand of football on the team. The Portuguese head coach oversaw his first season at Goodison Park and received mixed views from the fans.

Whilst the team certainly played some attractive attacking football at times, there is a feeling that Silva could have done a lot better with the players at his disposal.

Brazilian forward Richarlison and Icelandic attacking-midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson finished as the club’s joint top-scorers last season with 14 goals each.

Lucas Digne picked up the Player of the Year award after a standout debut season at the club. He scored some stunning free-kicks and was also defensively very sound.

Next season

Everton are without a top-six finish since 2013/14 but have the potential to challenge for the European places this season. Notable victories against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United last term prove that they’ve got what it takes to compete with some of the strongest teams in the country.

The addition of Fabian Delph will add a different dimension to their midfield whilst the permanent signing of Andre Gomes will also benefit the team in the middle of the park.

Still, they need to add some firepower upfront and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Silva make a move for a striker in the reaming weeks of the transfer window.

A lot of pressure was put on 22-year-old Dominic Calvert-Lewin last season to find the club’s goals. Although his performances and work-ethic were admirable, his return of six goals in 35 appearances is not good enough for a striker playing for a side with top-six aspirations.

They being the 2019/20 campaign with three very winnable matches against Crystal Palace, Watford and Aston Villa and do not meet one of last season’s top-six teams until the end of September. This gives Everton the opportunity to build a strong platform for the campaign ahead.

Players in

• Andre Gomes - €25.00 from FC Barcelona
• Fabian Delph - €9.50 from Manchester City
• Jonas Lossl - Free from Huddersfield

Players out

• Nikola Vlasic - €15.70m to CSKA Moscow
• Phil Jagielka - Free to Sheffield United
• Mateusz Hewelt - Free to Miedz Legnica
• Brendan Galloway - Free to Luton Town
• Luke Garbutt - Loan to Ipswich Town
• Shani Tarashaj - Loan to FC Emmen
• Sandro Ramirez - Loan to Real Valladolid
• Kieran Dowell - Loan to Derby County
• Jonjoe Kenny - Loan to FC Schalke 04
• Harry Charsley - Released
• Ashley Williams - Released

Predicted league finish

9th. With many other Premier League clubs strengthening their squads, it’s difficult to see Everton breaking into the top six this year.