OPINION
After seeing Richarlison dazzle against Wolves on the opening day of the season, Everton fans will be excited at seeing exactly what the rest of the new arrivals can offer – although Marco Silva must be ready to disappoint.
The Toffees made a handful of signings on deadline day, with Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma joining Bernard and Lucas Digne as late arrivals through the door at Goodison Park.
Digne was a second half substitute versus Wolves but the other quartet are yet to be seen by the Everton faithful, and with Phil Jagielka’s sending off, it appears to leave the door wide open to either the Chelsea loanee or former Barcelona powerhouse to step in and fill the void against Southampton this weekend.
Either would be welcomed with much intrigue but considering their lack of training – having only joined the side this week – Silva has to disappoint the supporters and keep faith with Mason Holgate, the man who replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson to plug the gap following the English defender’s dismissal.
The fact of the matter is neither Zouma nor Mina are clued up as to working with their team mates, and getting that cohesion is absolutely crucial, especially when carrying out defensive duties.
Holgate, standing at 6’1″ (source: Transfermarkt) might only be 21-years-old but his experience both on and off the pitch with the likes of Michael Keane makes him a much more reliable addition, and it is why he was chosen to come off the bench at Molineux.
Silva might be tempted to give either Mina or Zouma their debut but a week of training is not enough, and fans should have to sit disappointed as homegrown Holgate takes to the starting XI.