After the end of the domestic 2014-15 season, a lot of players have only just jetted off for their holidays after their international commitments, but pre-season is already nearly upon us.
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The Barclays Premier League campaign for 2015-16 starts earlier than usual this year, August the 8th to be precise, so the start of a new adventure is just over a month away now.
Transfers are still sure to be made at Everton with incomings and (hopefully not too many) outgoings all in the offing in the summer.
While there are sure to be new faces in the next few weeks, I have made my strongest starting eleven for the Blues going into the next season. See if you agree with my choices.
GOALKEEPER – JOEL ROBLES
Do you go with the experience of Tim Howard or the fresher and sharper Joel Robles? I have gone for the latter.
There is a point in time where “experience” becomes old age and in the ever-changing world of Premier League football, recent evidence suggests Tim Howard’s time at this level is over.
The American has been a steady and reliable servant since joining the Toffees from Manchester United, but positive displays from Robles (when he had the chance) last season indicate that he should be the new number one for the immediate future.
RIGHT BACK – SEAMUS COLEMAN
Who else? Coleman hardly has much competition for places, with Tony Hibbert no longer a viable option for the full 90 minutes in Premier League games, while the inexperienced Tyias Browning looks set to be loaned out.
Even if he did have someone pushing for his place, it is hard to see who could do a better job for the Blues than the Irishman in this position.
He didn’t necessarily have one of his better years last time out, but his marauding runs and defensive solidity saw him cement his status as one of the league’s best full-backs nonetheless.
Always good for a goal or an assist, and steady at the back, Coleman is the only option for this position.
CENTRE BACK – JOHN STONES
Had he not missed a large portion of the 2014-15 campaign due to injury, John Stones would surely have won Everton’s player of the season award ahead of Phil Jagielka.
The youngster has long been tipped for greatness since moving to Merseyside from Barnsley and his recent performances have backed that statement up.
He still makes the odd mistake or two, but his overall game displays maturity beyond his years – should Everton hang on to him for the next few years he will be a pivotal figure for Roberto Martinez’s side.
CENTRE BACK – PHIL JAGIELKA
Phil Jagielka has just earned a contract extension from the club, and rightly so.
Towards the back end of last season the former Sheffield United man was nothing less than outstanding as he swept the boards at the end of season awards.
His understanding with John Stones is impressive, and as well as being a fine defender himself, the captain should also be able to implement his wisdom onto the youngster.
The Blues’ captain, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
LEFT BACK – LEIGHTON BAINES
The critics say that Leighton Baines had one of his less impressive years for Everton in 2014-15. That could well be true, but he still amassed a healthy number of goals and assists regardless.
So much is expected of him that when he has anything less than an outstanding game, the fans are disappointed.
Those are the levels he has set for himself, and while some would argue Luke Garbutt deserves his chance, surely Baines has done more than enough over the last few years to cement that left-back spot until the youngster does something special to displace him?
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER – JAMES McCARTHY
There have been rumblings that James McCarthy is not entirely happy at the club and is open to the idea of a move away from Goodison Park, but should he stay he will be a valuable player once more.
The former Wigan man has pleasantly surprised Blues fans since joining in 2013 with his combative and energetic displays in the heart of the midfield.
The Irishman also started to exhibit somewhat of an eye for goal towards the end of the last campaign as well, which is perhaps the only thing missing from his otherwise complete game at the moment.
Many clubs will be interested in his services, and so they should, but Roberto Martinez simply must keep hold of him.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER – MUHAMED BESIC
Something tells me this choice will not be shared by Martinez, but on the evidence I have seen, Muhamed Besic should be a regular fixture in the Toffees’ starting eleven.
Gareth Barry has done a superb job in the defensive axis of the Everton midfield, but on form alone, Besic outshone the slightly more sluggish Barry last season.
The Bosnian is obviously happy to put his foot in, which is perhaps his most famous trait, but his positional discipline and understanding, combined with his composure on the ball means he is a more complete footballer than Barry.
His mobility, which saw him man-mark Lionel Messi so impressively at the World Cup last summer, is another reason why he should get the nod alongside James McCarthy – don’t bank on it happening, though.
LEFT WINGER – KEVIN MIRALLAS
Like James McCarthy, Kevin Mirallas is a player who is rumoured to be keen on a move away from Finch Farm, with stories around his want-away desires a little more concrete than McCarthy’s.
However, the Belgian is a player that would be missed more than most would care to think.
A lot of fans have been swayed by the greediness (think of the penalty incident against West Brom) he displayed last season, but the bottom line is he consistently provides quality and goals.
Yes, his attitude has been called into question at times, and he can be frustrating in more ways than one, but his end product cannot be disputed.
Despite not playing regularly in 2014-15, he was the Toffees’ second highest scorer with a respectable tally of eleven goals.
Does he have rough edges? Yes. However, that is not to say he is still not one of the most valuable members of the squad.
CENTRAL ATTACKING MIDFIELDER – STEVEN NAISMITH
This is the toughest position to pick, with two players who will both feel they have done enough to make it their own.
Ross Barkley is undeniably a massive talent. However, last season he exhibited no signs of improvement and his place in the team was perhaps based on loyalty and the hope that his biggest talent would improve from Roberto Martinez.
However, for me, this place on the pitch should be occupied by Steven Naismith.
Is he technically as good a footballer as Barkley? Probably not. However, his intelligence, selfless displays and knack for goals running from midfield means he is a better option in behind the striker than the England international.
RIGHT WINGER – GERARD DEULOFEU
This is somewhat of a wildcard choice, based on the fact that this particular player is not officially employed by Everton. Yet.
Despite all this, I am selecting Gerard Deulofeu for this position, as the Spaniard is as good as signed, with the final details to be completed when he returns from holiday.
He took time to get himself going in his loan spell with the Blues two seasons ago, but when he did get in the team, he made a massive impression.
He may be selfish at times and his decision making can be called into question, but his overall attacking play is enough to make the strongest of full-backs scared.
Deulofeu will come back to Goodison Park with his ego more in check, and his selfish tendencies more honed after a sticky period in his career. All this in addition to his electric pace and incredible one-on-one skills – throw him straight into the starting eleven and let him run at his man.
STRIKER – ROMELU LUKAKU
With only Arouna Kone for competition, a man who has netted just one goal for Everton since joining in 2013, it is fair to say that Romelu Lukaku has this place nailed down.
The Toffees do need a back-up forward, as Lukaku could benefit from someone pushing him for a starting place, and Kone most certainly isn’t the man to do that.
However, if a second striker were to come in, he will still have to go to some lengths to displace the big Belgian.
Lukaku didn’t set the world alight in his first full campaign as an Everton player in 2014-15, but he still found the back of the net on 20 occasions, displaying the goal-scoring instincts that chairman Bill Kenwright has long been searching for.
After a proper rest this summer, and with no injuries to contend with at the moment, a big season looks to be ahead for the former Chelsea man.