OPINION
Everton made some extremely exciting signings in the summer window, with players such as Bernard, Richarlison, Andre Gomes and Yerry Mina arriving to play for Marco Silva.
Colombia international Mina is the last summer signing to make his debut for the Toffees, with the 6ft 5in colossus [Transfermarkt] introduced for a brief cameo against Brighton at the weekend.
The 24-year-old has been suffering with a foot injury ever since he signed for £27million from Barcelona in the summer, but has finally recovered to make his long-awaited bow for the Merseyside club.
While his outing against the Seagulls was technically his debut, that five minutes will only have given Mina a tiny taste of the Premier League.
The real test awaits this weekend when the Toffees travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in a game which the rarely-seen Colombian powerhouse is bound to start considering Kurt Zouma’s ineligibility.
Everton have played two of last season’s top six so far this season, with both matches ending in losses – a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal and a 2-1 loss to Manchester United – and Silva will be keen to make amends against an unbeaten Chelsea side.
Ideally he would keep Zouma in place with Michael Keane, with that duo forming a solid partnership over the last few weeks, but his hand will be forced by the rules of Zouma’s loan deal.
Considering his other options are Phil Jagielka or Mason Holgate, it is highly likely that Mina will get the nod to replace Zouma against the Blues.
This will be a baptism of fire to say the least for the 24-year-old, whose first real taste of Premier League action will be against a rampant Chelsea side looking to keep pace at the top.
How well he deals with it is likely to determine whether he remains in the side when Zouma returns, and a standout display could catapult him straight into the hearts of the fans if Everton secure a positive result.