Following last night’s clash with Watford in the Carabao Cup, Marco Silva gave an injury update on Colombian defender Yerry Mina, who is valued at £22.5 million (as per Transfermarkt).
The 25-year-old centre-back had to leave the field during the game on Tuesday night, having missed the previous weekend’s action against Brighton and Hove Albion through injury.
Having the same problem that kept the Colombian out of the tie with the Seagulls, a pain in his right knee, Silva revealed after the match that the extent of the injury is unknown, but may only be out for a day or two, and Mina will be assessed before the Toffees’ game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (as per Liverpool Echo).
Why did Silva take the risk?
With Silva‘s side currently struggling for results in the Premier League (per Daily Star), it seems naive to have rushed back a key player for a Carabao Cup clash.
While Silva is evidently taking the competition seriously – possibly viewing the Carabao Cup as a winnable target and therefore going with a strong starting XI – the Toffees had other capable defenders to chose from.
The Portuguese 42-year-old had stated that Mina was feeling fine to play in the match, yet just three days after missing the trip to the South coast things seem rushed.
TiF Tactics – Who should replace Mina should he miss the Spurs match?
One area of Silva’s squad that is lacking is without doubt, the central defender spot and that may offer an explanation to rushing Mina back to fitness.
With just three senior centre-backs to the club’s name, the 42-year-old manager may be in a sticky situation should Mina be sidelined for the match against Spurs.
Silva’s preferred system of 4-2-3-1 requires two central defenders which could see the likes of Michael Keane and Mason Holgate occupy the two spots should Mina miss out.
Compared to the Colombian’s 6.9/10 average rating this season, both options rate lower, with Keane coming in at 6.75/10 and Holgate a 6.37/10 average (stats per Whoscored).
Overall, the update can be seen as positive news for fans as Mina looks as though he would miss only one game if any and Holgate picked up a 7/10 rating and a goal in last night’s victory (per Liverpool Echo), so the Englishman could provide suitable short-term cover.