Benitez’s tactical acumen can make Everton successful
1923
The summer European transfer window shut on Tuesday and for Everton fans, it felt like an anti-climax. The Toffees only signing was experienced forward Salomon Rondon on a free transfer from Chinese outfit Dalian Professional.
There was disappointment as bids for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Porto winger Luis Diaz reportedly failed to come off.
However, when the dust settles, Evertonian’s will feel that life under Rafa Benitez has got off to a good start. The Toffees have taken seven points from a possible nine this season in the Premier League.
Some have made comparisons with last season’s fast start under Carlo Ancelotti, which saw the Toffees win their first seven matches in all competitions.
However, this Everton team seems to be a different animal to the one that eventually slipped to tenth place in the top-flight on the last game of the season.
Benitez’s Everton look fitter and stronger. They also look full of confidence. Maybe, more importantly, they have looked like a well-drilled, coached team something they didn’t appear to be for much of the second half of last season.
The games so far under Benitez have shown that the Spaniard still has a very good football brain. He makes effective substitutions and tactical tweaks that affect the game.
The players also appear to be enjoying playing under the former Liverpool head coach. The likes of Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and particularly Nigerian international Alex Iwobi have upped their game at the start of the season.
The one concern is that their squad is now on the thin side. The club's three-year search for an able deputy for right-back Seamus Coleman has once able proven unsuccessful.
However, if their key players stay fit, then the Toffees can still enjoy a successful campaign, even if deadline day turned out to be a disappointing one in the end.
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