OPINION
With the transfer window finally closed for another season, Everton have pulled off some of the transfers of the summer and could be European contenders.
In his Mirror pre-season prediction column, pundit Robbie Savage has praised Everton’s transfer business this summer and predicted them to have a good campaign.
“They mean business, and I’ve been impressed with their summer in the market,” Savage told the Mirror.
“Brazilians Bernard and Richarlison give them wheels on the flanks, defender Yerry Mina will be a threat at set-pieces – as England found to their cost at the World Cup – and new manager Marco Silva has a point to prove after being relegated with Hull and then sacked by Watford.
“If they hit the ground running, watch them go.”
Savage is absolutely right, the Toffees have worked wonders in the transfer market and their squad is as strong as any of the teams outside the top four in the Premier League.
Let’s look at the strongest first eleven available to Marco Silva and you can make your own mind up.
Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne, Andre Gomes, Gueye, Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Tosun.
That is a side full of quality individuals, with a mix of youth and experience, flair and guile, pace and power.
The goalkeeper is one of the best in the division, the full-backs are both international quality and the central defenders have bags of pace and great ability on the ball.
The midfield is also littered with great options. Andre Gome provides the creativity and genius in central areas, while Geuye focuses on covering the back four. Bernard and Richarlison have pace to burn and are full of tricks in the wide areas, with Bernard also the more technical and can play further inside, while Richarlison will stay wide.
Sigurdsson will offer brilliant delivery from set pieces and is a threat from long-range, while Tosun is a clinical finisher and will mop up any chances that fall his way.
Their bench could be any of Holgate, Zouma, Baines, Schneiderlin, Davies, McCarthy, Bolasie, Lookman, Walcott and Sandro.
That is one hell of a squad and if they perform at the level they can, Marco Silva should enjoy a successful debut season on Merseyside.