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Koeman Knows How Much Everton Need More Strikers

By Robert Hunter

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 3-1 during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park on April 15, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 3-1 during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park on April 15, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) /
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In the pre Chelsea press conference, Koeman stated his concerns with the difference in quality between Lukaku and the other striking options. He doesn’t expect to have direct competition with Lukaku, but with the lofty ambitions Everton will have for next season, his statement is absolutely justified.

Next season we can expect Everton to put a lot of effort into the Europa League fixtures, to sustain a successful League run when competing in European football will be taxing on the squad, we cannot expect Lukaku to play the percentage of games he has played this season again, we simply will need more.

Wut?
Wut? /

A team with the stature of Everton is expected to have relatively decent runs in the domestic cups, but if our only true goal scorer will be being rested for Premier League and European games, then we are expected to do more than put all of that pressure on promising youngsters. I’m sure they’ll be involved at some point, but all the responsibility cannot fall to them.

Lukatar
Lukatar /

Currently the only pure forward we will have next season is Lukaku. Kone’s contract runs out this season, while for Valencia to stay we will still need to decide to trigger his £12 million purchase, and Koeman doesn’t seem too fond of Niasse. There’s an argument for Mirallas playing upfront but I think we need someone who is more clinical in front of goal, and there is also speculation that he may not be enough for Everton anymore, and could be part of Koeman’s plans to completely redesign the squad. Mirallas has displayed anger at being subbed off early this season, I think being used in rotation for the last 3 years has took its toll on him, and it could be time for him to leave next season.

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This statement fills me with excitement, as it clearly shows the club’s intentions to sign striking talent next season, and when Everton did not sign Belfodil in January, it indicates that we should expect our new signings to be high calibre goal scorers.

Up the Ev.

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